Relational Investments, Stress Appraisals, and Calibration: Examining the Wellbeing and Resilience of Dementia Family Caregivers

Abstract

This dissertation is comprised of two studies investigating different aspects of dementia caregiver resilience. Study 1 draws on theorizing from the theory of resilience and relational load (TRRL) and the investment model to assess the influence of pre-onset relational investments on caregivers’ individual and relational wellbeing. To account for competing theorizing about the impacts of pre-onset relational investments on caregiver wellbeing, this study also examines the role of two mediating mechanisms (relational deprivation and ongoing relationship maintenance) in explaining the associations between pre-onset relational investments and caregiver wellbeing. Using survey data from 454 dementia family caregivers, Study 1 revealed that relational investments were positively related with individual and relational health outcomes, generally supporting TRRL theorizing. Framed by the TRRL, Study 2 examines the process of resilience enacted by dementia caregivers including the appraisals caregivers make of dementia as a stressor and the calibration caregivers enact to manage the relational challenges of dementia. Using in-depth interviews with 26 dementia family caregivers, the analysis revealed three appraisals of dementia (dementia is a balancing act, dementia is all-consuming, and dementia is loss), and a process of calibration that occurred as caregivers acknowledged dementia as an actor in the relationship and adapted their relational and caregiving approaches accordingly. These two studies are presented with a general introduction focused on individual and relational wellbeing and resilience in dementia caregiving and with a general discussion examining conclusions of the two studies together.