The role of positive aspects of caregiving in adaptation to bereavement

This research examined the role of positive aspects of caregiving in adaptation to bereavement among older adults who cared for a family member with dementia. Participants were 217 caregivers who were part of the REACH Study (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health). Using pre- and postloss data, hierarchical regressions were carried out to examine the effects of caregiving benefit on postloss depression and grief. Findings show that preloss caregiving benefit was associated with higher levels of postloss depression and grief, even after controlling for caregiver demographic characteristics, contextual factors, and caregiving burden. This effect was particularly strong for the relation between benefit and grief. Results demonstrate the importance of studying both positive and negative aspects of caregiving and their relation to bereavement outcomes. Results also suggest that assessing the nature of the caregiving experience may be useful in identifying caregivers who are at risk for difficulties in their adjustment to bereavement.