Religiosity among Alzheimer's disease caregivers

Abstract

During a larger evaluation study of a Midwestern Alzheimer's Disease Association Family Caregiver Support Group Program and using their program objectives as the standard of evaluation, qualitative data was recorded. Caregiver statements were categorized into topic areas based on program objectives and content identified as important to caregiver support including knowledge of AD, caregiving problems and strategies, resources, and feelings. Analysis of these statements revealed religiosity as a pervading theme across all topic areas. The purpose of this paper is to describe religiosity as a possible coping resource expressed by support group members while sharing their family and care giving experiences. Statements are discussed in tenns of the Koenig, et al. (1988a) framework delineated in their Springfield Religiosity Schedule (SRS), categorizing them as either organized religious activity, non-organized religious activity, or intrinsic religiosity. The prominence of religion related discussion among caregivers in this evaluation seems to indicate the need for further research regarding the extent and nature of religiosity as a coping mechanism among caregivers, as well as the investigation of programs that support caregiver access to and participation in religious activity.