Predicting caregiver gains: A longitudinal study

Objectives. The aim of this study was to examine if changes in motivations to care, familism, illness perceptions, caregiver tasks, coping, and social support were related to caregiver reported gains (subjective feelings of satisfaction and rewards as a result of the care role). Design. A longitudinal design was employed whereby 123 caregivers completed a questionnaire at three time points: baseline, 3 months, and 9 months from baseline. Method. Independent variables were converted into residual change scores (between time 1 and time 2) and their influence on caregiver gains at time 2 and time 3 was examined. Results. Caregiver reported gains remained stable over time. Hierarchical regression analysis found that an increase in illness coherence was a strong predictor of caregiver gains at time 2, whereas predictors of time 3 gains included ethnicity, number of hours caregiving, and an increase in self-distraction and denial as coping methods. Conclusion. The study has implications for the development of time-specific interventions to increase caregiver gains and also for service development.