Relationship Differences in Anger Intensity During Caregiving-Related Situations

ABSTRACT

This study examined the experience of anger during recent caregiving situations. Women (N = 180) caring for a husband or parent with dementia described and rated the intensity of their reactions during the three most annoying caregiving events of the previous month. Anger items all loaded on one general factor, and had strong internal consistency. Wives and daughters differed in several ways; daughters had higher composite anger scores and more frequently identified interactions with family members and service providers as problematic. Results suggest that these differences were not due to potentially confounding variables such as age, education, income, or caregiving-related indices. Assessment and treatment planning may be facilitated by having detailed information about anger-eliciting events in the lives of family caregivers.

Key Words:

• Caregivers
• dementia
• anger
• psychosocial stressors