[Predictors of personal growth among caregivers of dementia patients]

Much of the research on caregiving has focussed on burden, stress, and coping, but there may also be positive outcomes associated with the process of care. Relatives caring for dementia patients report that they have grown more mature personally and gain a better idea of what is important in life. The purpose of this study is to look at predictors of personal growth. A total of 888 relatives of patients with dementia were examined. We found, using ordinary least squares regression, that personal growth was correlated with stressors and context variables like duration of caregiving, lack of social recognition, and the need for help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in the person with dementia. Personal growth through caregiving was predicted by duration of caregiving during the first years of caregiving. These findings underscore the importance of the negative aspects (stress, burden, long duration) that contribute to the development of personal growth through care.