Equity/inequity and patterns of guardianship of older persons

There have been recent reforms of guardianship systems focusing on the rights of older persons in Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Germany, and the United States. Little is known, however, about the lives of guardians. Equity theory guided the investigation of four styles of guardianship: the tough, sympathetic, challenged, and sad. Among 317 guardians, perceptions of inequity and benefit differentiated the sad and tough from others. Implications for practice are suggested.