Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology

Date of Defense

7-29-2008

Graduate Advisor

Ann M. Steffen, Ph.D.

Committee

Robert Calsyn

Kuei-Hsiang Hsueh

Matthew Taylor

Abstract

Common problems in the family caregiving respite outcome literature include little attention to in-home respite, lack of theoretical grounding, and low rates of respite utilization. This dissertation study utilized the predominant model of family caregiving stress, the Stress Process Model (Aneshensel et al., 1995; Pearlin et al., 1990), to (1) investigate the variables through which in-home respite impacts caregivers and to (2) investigate the factors that predict utilization of respite services. Participants (N = 74) were family caregivers receiving federally subsidized in-home respite. Results indicate that both prior hours of in-home respite services and respite time devoted to non-care related chores were significantly related to reduced levels of caregiver depression. Longitudinal data pertaining to 3-month in-home respite utilization reveal that prior in-home respite service usage was the best predictor of future service use. The implications of these data for the provision of in-home respite services and future research are discussed.

OCLC Number

535128103

Included in

Psychology Commons

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