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Benefit finding and resilience in child caregivers
Author(s) -
Cassidy Tony,
Giles Melanie,
McLaughlin Marian
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1111/bjhp.12059
Subject(s) - psychology , psychological resilience , coping (psychology) , developmental psychology , social support , multilevel model , clinical psychology , social psychology , machine learning , computer science
Objectives A substantial number of children are involved in informal caregiving and make a significant contribution to health care delivery. While this places high levels of demand on their coping resources, there is some evidence that these children find benefit in their caring role. Design A survey design using questionnaire data collection was used with a sample of 442 children (174 boys and 268 girls) between the ages of 12 and 16. Methods The role of benefit finding and resilience was explored within a stress and coping model of the impact of caregiving. Results Hierarchical multiple regression analysis ( HMRA ) identified resilience and benefit finding as accounting for significant amounts of variance in positive health and mediating the impact of caregiving. In regard to negative health, only benefit finding played a significant role. Conclusions Young caregivers do experience benefit finding and exhibit resilience although the relationship with caregiving burden was inverse. Benefit finding seems to be related to social recognition of the caregiving role and to family support. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? There is some emerging evidence that child caregivers experience some positive effects or benefits from their caring in spite of the demands of the role. However, the main focus has been on reducing negative outcomes rather than on building resilience. What this study adds? This study provides evidence that young caregivers do experience benefit finding in situations where the role demand is not overly excessive and where the role is socially recognized.