Support, problem-solving/coping ability, and personal burden of younger and older caregivers of adults with mental...

Relations between service and support utilization, problem-solving/coping strategies, level of personal burden experienced by younger and older caregivers were examined. Overall, there were no differences in the number of support services received. However, younger caregivers reported significantly more unmet service needs and rated significantly more of them as a critical or an emergency need. Both groups had highly developed effective problem-solving skills. However, older caregivers were more likely to seek spiritual support and the younger caregivers more apt to mobilize their families to acquire and accept help. Older caregivers experienced significantly less personal burden. Results suggest that younger caregivers are more predisposed toward seeking outside help and have higher expectations of the service system.