Emerging adulthood and willingness to caregive

A great deal of research has been conducted on caregiving experiences for relatives with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, virtually no research exists on the factors associated with willingness to caregive before entering the caregiver role. Furthermore, little is known about caregiving during emerging adulthood despite the unique juxtaposition of gains in autonomy concurrent with declining degrees of dependency common in the developmental period. This study investigated whether emerging adults differ in AD caregiving beliefs based on relationship (parent vs. grandparent), as well as which factors best predict willingness to caregive. Caregiving beliefs were assessed through a survey given to emerging adult undergraduate students (n = 150). All caregiving influences with the exception of forecasted stress were significantly different across relationships. Willingness to caregive for parents was predicted by comfort in caregiving tasks while confidence, institutionalization, and felt obligation predicted willingness for grandparents. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Alva, Jessica Isabel

Contributors dc:contributor

• McCallum, T.J.

• Aging
• Developmental Psychology
• Psychology
• emerging adulthood
• caregiving
• dementia
• Alzheimer's disease
• willingness to caregive

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1354917802

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1354917802