The Stress Process Model and In-home Respite for Caregivers of Cognitively and Physically Impaired Older Adults

by Mensie, Lauren Clair

Common problems in the family caregiving respite outcome literature include little attention to in-home respite, lack of theoretical grounding, and low rates of respite utilization. This dissertation study utilized the predominant model of family caregiving stress, the Stress Process Model (Aneshensel et al., 1995; Pearlin et al., 1990), to (1) investigate the variables through which in-home respite impacts caregivers and to (2) investigate the factors that predict utilization of respite services. Participants (N = 74) were family caregivers receiving federally subsidized in-home respite. Results indicate that both prior hours of in-home respite services and respite time devoted to non-care related chores were significantly related to reduced levels of caregiver depression. Longitudinal data pertaining to 3-month in-home respite utilization reveal that prior in-home respite service usage was the best predictor of future service use. The implications of these data for the provision of in-home respite services and future research are discussed. Stress Process and In-Home Respite 6