Affiliation:
1. University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
2. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
3. Liverpool Hope University, UK
4. Bangor University, UK
Abstract
This weekly diary study investigated associations of weekly dyadic coping strategies with caregivers’ willingness to care and burden. Multilevel modelling was applied to assess between- and within-person associations for 24 consecutive weeks in 955 caregivers. Greater willingness to care was reported in weeks when caregivers used more collaborative ( b = 0.26, p < 0.001) and supportive ( b = 0.30, p < 0.001) strategies, whereas uninvolved coping was associated with lower willingness to care ( b = −0.44, p < 0.001). Using collaborative coping strategies was associated with lower weekly burden ( b = −0.13, p < 0.001). A greater burden was reported in weeks when caregivers used more uninvolved ( b = 0.19, p < 0.001) and controlling ( b = 0.13, p < 0.001) coping strategies. A full understanding of whether caregivers’ willingness to care and burden may be improved owing to weekly dyadic coping is essential for developing timely support for caregivers.
Funder
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie