Dementia is estimated to affect up to 15 percent of the US population. Most of these individuals receive much needed emotional and physical support from family caregivers, with 10–12 percent being primary caregiving sons. However, this role of caregiver places a significant amount of psychological distress on an individual. This study investigates the use of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) as a tool to predict distress in primary caregiving sons of a parent with dementia. Based on these findings, implications for counseling and future research are presented. With the incidence of dementia on the rise, it is important for clinicians to be aware of different and cost effective (free) diagnostic tools that are available.
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