Family Caregivers' Patterns of Positive and Negative Affect*

doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2007.00436.x

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Wiley InterScience

Family Relations

Volume 56 Issue 1, Pages 12 - 23

Published Online: 13 Dec 2006

Published on behalf of the National Council on Family Relations

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Family Caregivers' Patterns of Positive and Negative Affect*

Suzanne M. Robertson**, Steven H. Zarit**, Larissa G. Duncan**, Michael J. Rovine** & Elia E. Femia**

Correspondence to **Suzanne M. Robertson is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, 110 South Henderson, University Park, PA 16802 (smr302@psu.edu). Steven H. Zarit is Professor and Head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, 211 Henderson Building South, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-6505 (z67@psu.edu). Larissa G. Duncan is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, 110 South Henderson, University Park, PA 16802 (lgd110@psu.edu). Michael J. Rovine is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, 159 South Henderson, University Park, PA 16802 (mr7@psu.edu). Elia E. Femia is a Research Associate and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, 2210 Toronto Street, Falls Church, VA 22043 (elia.femia@verizon.net).

*This research was funded in part by a grant to the second author from the National Institute of Mental Health, RO1MH59027, and a National Institute of Mental Health training fellowship to the first author.

KEYWORDS

dementia • family caregivers • negative affect • positive affect

ABSTRACT

Abstract: Stressful and positive family caregiving experiences were examined as predictors of caregivers' patterns of positive and negative affect in a sample of families providing care for a relative with dementia (N= 234). Four affect pattern groups were identified: (a) Well Adjusted (i.e., high positive affect, low negative affect); (b) Ambiguous (i.e., low on both positive and negative affect); (c) Intense (i.e., high on both positive and negative affect); and (d) Distressed (i.e., high negative affect, low positive affect). A multivariate model that included demographic characteristics and indicators of stressful and positive experiences of caregiving yielded 2 significant discriminant functions that served to classify caregivers correctly into their known affect groups. Implications for improving intervention efforts targeting family caregivers are discussed.

Received: 25 September 2006; Accepted: 08 December 2006;

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)

10.1111/j.1741-3729.2007.00436.x About DOI