Risk Factors Associated with Negative Interactions between Family Caregivers and Elderly Care-Receivers

Abstract

This article reports the findings from a study of factors related to negative interactions between elderly care-receivers, recently discharged from a hospital stay, and their family caregivers. Negative interactions are measured as overt conflicts between the caregiver and care-receiver, and reported levels of upset with the caregiver. Respondents were forty-one patients aged fifty-six to ninety years. Feeling like a “thing” more than a “person” was significantly associated with higher levels of conflict, and the availability of a confidante was significantly associated with lower levels of conflict. With respect to upset ratings, more psychological distress and feeling like a “thing” were associated with more upset, and adequate social support, as well as the availability of a confidante were associated with lower upset ratings.