Cognition of caregiving tasks: multidimensional scaling of the caregiver task domain

This research investigates the distinctions caregivers use in thinking about home care tasks. A sample of 52 adult child caregivers sorted 25 cards with caregiving tasks printed on them into different piles based on the similarity of the tasks. Multidimensional scaling of the aggregate proximity matrix for the items showed three dimensions in the caregiver task domain: type of impairment (physical vs. cognitive-emotional), location of caregiving (within home vs. outside home), and response to parental incompetency (autonomy-fostering vs. guardianship). Respondents' statements support the dimensionality of the domain.