An investigation of the relationships among meaning, psychological well-being and caregiver burden

Abstract

Investigation of the Relationships Between Meaning, Psychological Well-Being, and Caregiver Burden -- A descriptive, correlational investigation of 45 informal family caregivers of institutionalized Alzheimer care-recipi -ents was conducted to explore relationships between meaning, psychological well-being, caregiver burden. Home interviews were conducted using the following instruments: Life Attitude Profile - Revised (LAP-R), Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH), Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). A correlational matrix was created, followed by stepwise multiple regression. The results are as follows: (a) length of illness was an influential variable, related to meaning, psychological well-being, caregiver burden; (b) psychological well-being was the only predictor of caregiver burden; and (c) psychological well-being was predicted by: purpose, existential vacuum, age, length of illness, number of visits, and relationship to care-recipient, respectively. Implications for nursing practice, education, and research are discussed.