Use of Personal and Social Resourcefulness by Adult-Child and Spousal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

Bibliographic Data

ID21423237
AuthorsJaclene A Zauszniewski (0000-0002-1707-1193, Case Western Reserve University, corresponding author), Christopher J Burant (0000-0001-9229-0567, Case Western Reserve University), Rayhanah R Almutairi (0000-0003-4967-9803, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Kylie Meyer (0000-0003-3032-2054, Case Western Reserve University), Elliane Irani (0000-0001-7381-3801, Case Western Reserve University)
Year2026
Pages914150261456742-914150261456742
Publication date2026-06-09
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe International Journal of Aging and Human Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-4150 • E-ISSN: 1541-3535
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00914150261456742
PMID42261679
OpenAlexW7163996216
LanguageEN
References cited30

Purpose This study examined the use of personal and social resourcefulness when experiencing anger, anxiety, sadness, decision-making, and financial distress among adult-child and spousal caregivers of persons with dementia. Methods Baseline data on 10 Resourcefulness Scale © items measuring personal and social resourcefulness in response to anger, anxiety, sadness, decision-making, and financial distress were obtained from 127 adult-child and 112 spousal caregivers of persons with dementia. Results Adult-child and spousal caregivers similarly used personal resourcefulness for financial distress (62%–68%) and both personal and social resourcefulness when angry (67%), sad (87%–92%), and making decisions (77%–98%). Spousal caregivers used both personal and social resourcefulness when anxious (37%), while adult-child caregivers used only personal resourcefulness (46%). The findings were similar across age, race, and gender subgroups. Conclusions Future research should explore the effects of other situational factors (e.g., caregiving burden) on resourcefulness. Gerontological healthcare professionals should assess the caregiver–care recipient relationship when determining and tailoring interventions

Dementia · Distress · Family caregivers · Personal care · Personal distress · Scale (ratio) · Situational ethics · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Tools

Open DOI