Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Family Stress and Social Support among Caregivers to Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Chapter
Book cover Handbook of Social Support and the Family

Part of the book series: The Springer Series on Stress and Coping ((SSSO))

Abstract

Despite the current emphasis on “productive” and “successful” aging, the fact remains that many elderly people spend the last part of their lives suffering from chronic debilitating ailments. Moreover, contrary to deep-seated societal fears about the abandonment of the aged by their relatives, responsibility for caring for impaired elderly persons is usually assumed by kin. Although families have cared for the aged throughout recorded history, only in the past three decades has the topic become a vigorous and rapidly expanding area of research interest.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allan, G. (1979). A sociology of friendship and kinship. London: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allan, G. (1989). Friendship: Developing a sociological perspective. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aneshensel, C. S., Pearlin, L. I., & Schuler, R. H. (1993) Stress, role captivity, and the cessation of caregiving. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 34, 54–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Archbold, P. G. (1982) All-consuming activity: The family as caregiver. Generations, 7, 12–13, 40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barer, B. M., & Johnson, Colleen L. (1990). A critique of the caregiving literature. Gerontologist, 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, W. H. (1992). Prevention of disability in older persons. In J. M. Last & R. B. Wallace (Eds.), Public health and preventive medicine, 13th ed. (pp. 973–981). Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bedford, V. H. (1989) Understanding the value of siblings in old age. American Behavioral Scientist, 33, 33–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, R. R. (1981). Worlds of friendship. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belsky, J., & Rovine, M. (1984) Social-network contact, family support, and the transition to parenthood. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 46, 455–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biegel, D. E., & Blum, A. (1990). Aging and caregiving: Theory, research, and policy. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkel, R. C., & Jones, C. J. (1989) A comparison of the caregiving networks of dependent elderly individuals who are lucid and those who are demented. Gerontologist, 29, 114–119.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brody, E. M. (1985) Parent care as a normative family stress. Gerontologist, 25, 19–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brody, E. M. (1990). Women in the middle: Their parent-care years. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brody, E. M., Hoffman, C., Kleban, M., & Schoonover, C. B. (1989) Caregiving daughters and their local siblings: Perceptions, strains, and interactions. Journal of Gerontology, 29, 529–538.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brody, E. M., & Lang, A. (1982) They can’t do it all: Aging daughters with aged mothers. Generations, 7, 18–20, 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cantor, M. (1983) Strain among caregivers: A study of experience in the United States. Gerontologist, 23, 597–604.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Catternach, L., & Tebes, J. K. (1991) The nature of elder impairment and its impact on family caregivers’ health and psychosocial functioning. Gerontologist, 31, 246–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chenoweth, B., & Spencer, R. (1986) Dementia: The experience of family caregivers. Gerontologist, 26, 267–272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chiriboga, D. A., Weiler, P. G., & Nielsen, K. (1990). The stress of caregivers. In D. E. Biegel & A. Blum (Eds.), Aging and caregiving: Theory, research, and policy (pp. 1221–1237). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cicirelli, V. G. (1981). Helping elderly parents: Role of adult children. Boston: Auburn House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cicirelli, V. G. (1985). Sibling relations through the life cycle. In L. L’Abate (Ed.), Handbook of family psychology. Homewood, IL: Dorsey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clipp, E. C., & George, L. K. (1990) Caregiver needs and patterns of social support. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 45, S102–S111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clipp, E. C., & George, L. K. (1993) Dementia and cancer: A comparison of spousal caregivers. Gerontologist, 33, 534–541.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S., (1976) Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38, 300–314.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, C., Teresi, J., & Blum, C. (1994) The role of caregiver social networks in Alzheimer’s disease. Social Science and Medicine, 38, 1483–1490.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, D., & Eisdorfer, C. (1986). The loss of self New York: NAL Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colerick, E. J., & George, L. K. (1986) Predictor of institutionalization among caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 34, 493–498.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, L. D., Levitan, A., & Nelson, K. B. (1992). Neurological disorders. In J. M. Last & R. B. Wallace (Eds.), Public health and preventive medicine, 13th ed. (pp. 929–935). Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creasey, G. L., Myers, B. J., Epperson, M. J., & Taylor, J. (1990) Couples with an elderly parent with Alzheimer’s disease: Perceptions of family relationships. Psychiatry, 53, 44–51.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crystal, S. (1986). Social policy and elder abuse. In K. Pillemer & R. S. Wolf (Eds.), Elder abuse: Conflict in the family (pp. 331–340). Dover, MA: Auburn House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deimling, G. T., & Bass, D. M. (1986). Symptoms of mental impairment among elderly adults and their effects on family caregivers. Journal of Gerontology, 41(6), 778–784.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feld, S. L. (1982) Social structural determinants of similarity among associates. American Sodobgical Review, 47, 797–801.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fengler, A. P., & Goodrich, N. (1979) Wives of elderly disabled men: The hidden patients. Gerontologist, 19, 175–183.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiore, J., Becker, J., & Coppel, D. B. (1983) Social network interactions: A buffer or a stress? American Journal of Community Psychology, 11, 423–439.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiore, J., Coppel, D. B., Becker, J., & Cox, G. B. (1986) Social support as a multifaceted concept: Examination of important dimensions for adjustment. American Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 93–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, C. S. (1982). To dwell among friends: Personal networks in town and city. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franks, M. M., & Stephens, M. A. P. (1992) Multiple roles of middle-generation caregivers: Contextual effects and psychological mechanisms. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 47, S123–S129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, L. K. (1986). Caregiver burden: Conflict between norms of reciprocity and solidarity. In K. Pillemer & R. S. Wolf (Eds.), Elder abuse: Conflict in the family (pp. 67–92). Dover, MA: Auburn House.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, L. K., & Gwyther, L. P. (1986) Caregiver well-being: A multidimensional examination of family caregivers of demented adults. Gerontologist, 26, 253–259.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, D. T. (1989) Generational solidarity: Conceptual antecedents and consequences. American Behavioral Scientist, 33, 19–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, B. H., & Pancer, S. M. (1988). Social networks and the transition to parenthood. In G. Y. Michaels & W. A. Goldberg (Eds.), The transition to parenthood: Current theory and research (pp. 235–269). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouldner, H., & Strong, M. S. (1987). Speaking of friendship: Middle-class women and their friends. New York: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gubrium, J. F. (1988) Family responsibility and caregiving in the qualitative analysis of the Alzheimer’s disease experience. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 197–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hetherington, E. M., Cox, M., & Cox, R. (1976) Divorced fathers. Family Coordinator, 25, 417–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Himes, C. L. (1994) Parental caregiving by adult women. Research on Aging, 16, 191–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House, J. (1981). Work stress and family support. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • House, J. (1987) Social support and social structure. Sociological Forum, 2, 135–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House, J., Umberson, D., & Landis, K. (1988) Structures and processes of social support. Annual Review of Sociology, 14, 293–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarrett, W. H. (1985) Caregiving within kinship systems: Is affection really necessary? Gerontologist, 25, 5–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., & Glaser, R. (1994). Caregivers, mental health, and immune function. In E. Light, G. Niederehe, & B. D. Lebowitz (Eds.), Stress effects on family caregivers of Alzhdmer’s patients (pp. 64–75). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleban, M. H., Brody, E. M., Schoonover, C. B., & Hoffman, C. (1989) Family help to the elderly: Perceptions of sons-in-law regarding parent care. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51, 303–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lieberman, M. A., & Kramer, J. H. (1991) Factors affecting decisions to institutionalize demented elderly. Gerontologist, 31, 371–374.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N. (1986). Conceptualizing social support. In N. Lin, A. Dean, & W. Ensel (Eds.), Social support, life events, and depression (pp. 17–30). New York: Academic Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N., Woelfel, M. W., & Light, S. C. (1985) The buffering effect of social support subsequent to an important life event. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 26, 247–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mace, N. (1984). Self-help for the family. In W. E. Kelly (Ed.), Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (pp. 185–202). Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maddox, G. L. (1984). Mutual help groups for caregivers in the management of senile dementia: A research agenda. In J. Wertheimer & M. Marois (Eds.), Senile dementia: Outlook for the future. New York: Alan R. Liss.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mittelman, M. S., Ferris, S. H., Steinberg, G., Shulman, E., Mackell, J. A., Ambinder, A., & Cohen, J. (1993) An intervention that delays institutionalization of Alzheimer’s disease patients: Treatment of spouse-caregivers. Gerontologist, 33, 730–741.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moritz, D. J., Kasl, S. V., & Berkman, L. E (1989) The health impact of living with a cognitively impaired elderly spouse: Depressive symptoms and social functioning. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 44, S17–S27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morycz, R. K. (1985) Caregiving strain and the desire to institutionalize family members with Alzheimer’s disease. Research on Aging, 7, 329–361.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T, Semple, S. J., & Skaff, M. M. (1990) Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. Gerontologist, 30, 383–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillemer, K., & Suitor, J. J. (1992) Violence and violent feelings: What causes them among family caregivers? Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 47, S165–S172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillemer, K., & Suitor, J. J. (1993). Status similarity and well-being of family caregivers to relatives with dementia. Working Paper No. 18. Ithaca, NY: Bronfenbrenner Life Course Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pruchno, R. A., Michaels, J. E., & Potashnik, S. L. (1990) Predictors of institutionalization among Alzheimer disease victims with caregiving spouses. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 45, S259–S266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, L. S., (1977) The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Journal of Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, D., & Eckenrode, J. (1986) Social ties: Subgroup differences in costs and benefits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 770–778.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rook, K. (1984) The negative side of social interactions: Impact on psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 1097–1108.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ross, H. G., & Milgram, J. I. (1982). Important variables in adult sibling relationships: A qualitative study. In M. E. Lamb & B. Sutton-Smith (Eds.), Sibling relationships: Thdr nature and significance across the lifespan (pp. 225–249). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, R., & Williamson, G. (1994). Health effects of caregiving: Prevalence of mental and physical illness in Alzheimer’s caregivers. In E. Light, G. Niederehe, & B. D. Lebowitz (Eds.), Stress effects on family caregivers of Alzhdmer’s patients (pp. 38–63). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, R., Williamson, G., Morycz, R., & Biegel, D. E. (1990) Psychiatric and physical morbidity effects of caregiving. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 45, 181–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Semple, S. J. (1992) Conflict in Alzheimer’s caregiving families: Its dimensions and consequences. Gerontologist, 32, 648–655.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, L. B., O’Bryant, S. L., & Meddaugh, D. L. (1991) Support system participation in spousal caregiving: Alzheimer’s disease versus other illness. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 10, 359–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinman, L. A. (1979). Reactivated conflicts with aging parents. In P. Ragan (Ed.), Aging parents. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, M. A. P., Franks, M. M., & Townsend, A. L. (1994) Stress and rewards in women’s multiple roles: The case of women in the middle. Psychology and Aging, 9, 43–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suitor, J. J. (1987a). Mother-daughter relations when married daughters return to school: Effects of status similarity. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 49 (May), 435–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suitor, J. J. (1987b) Social networks in transition: Married mothers return to school. Journal of Sodai and Personal Relationships, 4, 445–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suitor, J. J., & Pillemer, K. (1987) The presence of adult children: A source of stress for elderly couples’ marriages? Journal of Marriage and the Family, 49, 717–725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suitor, J. J., & Pillemer, K. (1988) Explaining intergenerational conflict when adult children and elderly parents live together. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 1037–1047.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suitor, J. J., & Pillemer, K. (1990). Family caregiver as a social status: A new conceptual framework for studying social support and well-being. In S. Stahl (Ed.), The legacy of longevity: Health, illness, and long-term care in later life. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suitor, J. J., & Pillemer, K. (1993) Support and interpersonal stress in the social networks of married daughters caring for parents with dementia. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 48, S1–S8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suitor, J. J., Pillemer, K., & Keeton, S. (1995). When experience counts: The effects of experiential and structural similarity on patterns of support and interpersonal stress. Social Forces, 73, 1573–1588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoits, P. A. (1986) Social support as coping assistance. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 416–423.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Treas, J., & Bengtson, V. L. (1988). The family in later years. In M. B. Sussman & S. K. Steinmetz (Eds.), Handbook of marriage and the family (pp. 625–650). New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A. J., Pratt, C. C., Shin, H.-Y, & Jones, L. L. (1990) Motives for parental caregiving and relationship quality. Family Relations, 39, 51–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, B., & Wortley, S. (1989) Brothers’ keepers: Situating kinship relations in broader networks. Sociological Perspectives, 32, 273–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, B., & Wortley, S. (1990) Different strokes from different strokes: Community ties and social support. American Journal of Sodology, 96, 558–588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, R. S., & Pillemer, K. (1989). Helping elderly victims. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zarit, S. H., Todd, P. A., & Zarit, J. M. (1986) Subjective burden of husbands and wives as caregivers: A longitudinal study. Gerontologist, 26, 260–266.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14583, USA

    Karl Pillemer

  2. Department of Sociology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803, USA

    Jill Suitor

Authors
  1. Karl Pillemer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jill Suitor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, USA

    Gregory R. Pierce

  2. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Barbara R. Sarason  & Irwin G. Sarason  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pillemer, K., Suitor, J. (1996). Family Stress and Social Support among Caregivers to Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease. In: Pierce, G.R., Sarason, B.R., Sarason, I.G. (eds) Handbook of Social Support and the Family. The Springer Series on Stress and Coping. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1388-3_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1388-3_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1390-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1388-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation