Open AccessParkinson’s family dynamics and caregiver sense of coherence: A family‐systems approach to coping in Mexico and the United States
Author(s) -
Villaseñor Teresita,
Perrin Paul B.,
Donovan Emily K.,
McKee Grace B.,
Henry Richard S.,
Dzierzewski Joseph M.,
Lageman Sarah K.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aging medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2475-0360
DOI - 10.1002/agm2.12130
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , adaptability , psychology , family caregivers , population , psychological intervention , gerontology , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , sociology , demography , psychiatry , ecology , biology
Abstract Objective The population of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is growing in Mexico and the United States, and there is an increasing need for family members to provide caregiving. This study examined the connections between family dynamics and coping, or sense of coherence, among PD caregivers in Mexico (n = 148) and the United States (n = 105). Methods Caregivers completed measures of family dynamics and sense of coherence across indices of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. Results Although caregivers in Mexico and the United States had similar levels of sense of coherence and family dynamics reflecting strengths/adaptability and being overwhelmed with difficulties, caregivers in Mexico had worse disrupted communication. Family dynamics explained: 24.2% of the variance in caregiver comprehensibility in the United States and 17.5% in Mexico; 34.1% in manageability in the United States and 23.5% in Mexico; and 22.6% in meaningfulness in the United States and 22.7% in Mexico (all P s < 0.001). In both Mexico and the United States, family strengths/adaptability uniquely predicted caregiver comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. Being overwhelmed with difficulties uniquely predicted comprehensibility in Mexico and manageability and meaningfulness in the United States. Conclusion The development of family‐systems interventions for PD caregivers to improve family strengths/adaptability and help families deal with difficulties may increase caregiver coping.