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Abstract

Objectives: Our purpose was to evaluate the adequacy of a stress adaptation framework for guiding intervention research on caregivers and patients coping with Alzheimer’s disease, and to test the effect of a cognitive stimulation intervention as an interactive outcome. Methods: Using a repeated measures design, 87 caregiverpatient dyads were randomized to one of three conditions: active cognitive stimulation, passive stimulation, or control. Assessments occurred at preintervention, postintervention (3 months), and 9 months. Results: The LISREL model was entirely satisfactory by the chi-square goodness-of-fit criteria. However, the coefficients associated with the paths between the mediating concepts and the dyadic interaction differed significantly at 3 months and 9 months. The intervention group caregivers were shown to be more satisfied with their interaction with the impaired member. Discussion: The improvement in caregiver satisfactionwas attributed to an attenuation of the behavioral stressor effects through increased use of a problem-focused coping strategy, namely, positive reappraisal of the stressful situation.

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Intervention Effects on Dementia Caregiving Interaction

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