This study investigated the relationship between two basic dimensions of social-emotional
adjustment: distress and self-restraint, as identified by Weinberger and Schwartz (1990), and the
use of four coping strategies by spouse caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. Care
givers were most frequently categorized as oversocialized (high distress, high self-restraint) and
repressive (low distress, high self-restraint) according to Weinberger and Schwartz's (1990)
social-emotional adjustment typology. A higher proportion of males than females were under-
socialized (low distress, low self-restraint) and reactive (high distress, low self-restraint),
whereas a higher proportion of females than males were oversocialized (high distress, high
self-restraint). High distress caregivers were more likely to use the emotion-focused coping
strategy of wishfulness, whereas low distress caregivers were more likely to use acceptance and
the problem-focused strategy of instrumental coping. Although there were gender differences in
distress and the use of specific coping strategies, the relationships between distress and coping
strategies used held regardless of gender. Implications for caregiver intervention programs as
well as directions for future research are discussed.
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