Using retrospective survey design, data were collected from 72 family caregivers of cognitively
competent, noninstitutionalized elderly family members. A parent-care task list designated the
strain encounter, and a visual analogue scale measured stress. The Ways of Coping Index
measured emotion- and problem-focused coping behavior. Appraisal was measured by choosing
one option from a four-item questionnaire. Findings, after analysis of variance and regression
procedures, indicated that caregivers used a combination of problem- and emotion-focused
behaviors in coping with parent-care situations classified as strains, particularly when they were
appraised as "must be accepted or gotten used to. " Use of emotion-focused coping was
somewhat greater as stress increased, and the use of problem-focused coping was greater when
the situation was appraised as amenable to some type of action.
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