Use of Personal and Social Resourcefulness by Adult-Child and Spousal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

AI Summary

Both adult-child and spousal caregivers similarly used personal and social resourcefulness for anger, sadness, and decision-making; personal resourcefulness predominated for financial distress.
When anxious, spousal caregivers often used both personal and social resourcefulness, whereas adult-child caregivers primarily used personal resourcefulness.
Clinicians should assess caregiver relationship and consider situational factors like caregiving burden when tailoring resourcefulness interventions for dementia caregivers.

AI Summary

Spousal caregivers used both personal and social resourcefulness when anxious (37%), while adult-child caregivers used only personal resourcefulness (46%).

The findings were similar across age, race, and gender subgroups.ConclusionsFuture research should explore the effects of other situational factors (e.g., caregiving burden) on resourcefulness.

Basic summary

Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2026 Jun 9:914150261456742. doi: 10.1177/00914150261456742. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PurposeThis study examined the use of personal and social resourcefulness when experiencing anger, anxiety, sadness, decision-making, and financial distress among adult-child and spousal caregivers of persons with dementia.MethodsBaseline data on 10 Resourcefulness Scale^© items measuring personal and social resourcefulness in response to anger, anxiety, sadness, decision-making, and financial distress were obtained from 127 adult-child and 112 spousal caregivers of persons with dementia.ResultsAdult-child and spousal caregivers similarly used personal resourcefulness for financial distress (62%-68%) and both personal and social resourcefulness when angry (67%), sad (87%-92%), and making decisions (77%-98%). Spousal caregivers used both personal and social resourcefulness when anxious (37%), while adult-child caregivers used only personal resourcefulness (46%). The findings were similar across age, race, and gender subgroups.ConclusionsFuture research should explore the effects of other situational factors (e.g., caregiving burden) on resourcefulness. Gerontological healthcare professionals should assess the caregiver-care recipient relationship when determining and tailoring interventions.

PMID:42261679 | DOI:10.1177/00914150261456742

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