Providing care to persons with physical disability. Effect on family caregivers

Studies on caregiving often assume that outcomes will be problematic and assess negative factors, such as burden or stress. Results may be biased by detailing only the problems encountered. The current study assessed positive, neutral and negative aspects of caregiving and evaluated the impact of caregiving using criteria based on an accepted model of family functioning. Of 942 consecutive hospital admissions, 217 subjects required assistance in personal care and returned home with a primary caregiver. Caregivers reported moderately more anxious, depressive and somatic symptoms than expected from standardized tests, but these findings were not clinically or statistically significant. Family functioning was related to the duration of the caregiving experience. Family relations seemed to be a source of strength for caregivers, regardless of disability type. Further research is needed to determine if family functioning can be used to buffer against unfavorable aspects of caregiving or to enhance positive aspects of the situation.