Investigating the Theory of Ambiguous Loss: The Role of Ambiguity Tolerance in Pre-Death Grief for Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

<p>This thesis sought to investigate the relationship between ambiguity tolerance and caregiver grief within the framework of ambiguous loss theory. Thirty-one family caregivers completed a quantitative survey comprising two pre-existing scales and several demographic questions designed to assess level of ambiguity tolerance, level of grief, caregiver age and gender, type of relationship to the care recipient, living situation, length of caregiving career, level of Social support and frequency of difficult behaviors. Quantitative data analysis revealed that while no relationship existed between total ambiguity tolerance and total caregiver grief, a modest, inverse relationship exists between tolerance toward general-type ambiguity and burden, which is one identified aspect of caregiver grief.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Kale-Cheever, Megan

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ferguson, Alishia J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Christy, Kameri
• Henry, Leah J.

• Social sciences
• Psychology
• Health and environmental sciences
• Alzeimer's disease
• Ambiguous loss
• Caregiving
• Dementia
• Clinical and Medical Social Work
• Clinical Psychology
• Social Work

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1100

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-2099