The relationship between private prayer and resiliency among Alzheimer's caregivers

by Wilks, Scott E.

The purpose of the study was to understand the influence of private prayer, used as a coping method to caregiving burden, as a factor of resiliency among Alzheimer’s caregivers. A cross-sectional research design was employed, surveying a sample of Alzheimer’s caregivers (N=304) who attended caregiver support groups in the southeastern United States. Questionnaire items empirically measured a number of constructs, including perceived burden; use of private prayer as a coping method; frequency and importance of prayer; and perceived resiliency. Demographic characteristics of the sample were reported. Regression analysis evaluated the relationship between prayer and resiliency, controlling for demographic factors. Over threefourths of the sample reported a high frequency of private prayer, and over 90% of those who prayed indicated importance to four general types of prayer. As hypothesized, results indicated a strong association and positive, significant relationship between the extent of prayer usage as a method of coping, and resiliency. Implications for social work practice and education are discussed.