Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to examine the unique caregiver burden related to those caring for individuals with neurocognitive disorders. Specifically, three subgroups of different age cohort caregivers were examined—spousal, adult children, and grandchildren caregivers—to determine caregiver burden, coping strategies, and family conflict amongst these three groups. A total sample of 328 community-based adult caregivers were recruited from various organizations, senior centers, and related groups given the heterogeneous composition of each caregiver subgroups. Due to the initial low response rate, Qualtrics, a private research software company, was also contacted to assist with recruitment. Participants were asked to complete an online survey assessing caregiver burden, coping strategies, and family conflict. Findings from this study demonstrated no significant differences across the three caregiver age cohorts. As such, none of the initial hypotheses were supported. An association between higher overall caregiver burden and more emotion focused coping strategies was found. Further, higher caregiver burden (associated with care recipient depressive symptomology) was related to greater levels of family conflict and more utilization of a problem focused coping strategy. Qualitative analysis revealed some common themes of caregiver burden: caregivees' characteristics that had a negative impact on caregivers, negative impact of caregiving on caregivers, familial conflict, and positive aspects of caregiving. Results indicate a continued need for identifying caregiver subgroups' unique patterns of burden and coping in order to provide tailored resources that fit their needs.