Adult Daughters and Mothers:

Abstract

Quantitative research approaches have dominated the literature on factors contributine to careeiver stress. This aualitative study examined those dynami& of theidult daughter/mdther relationship which may contribute to the high stress levels reported by middle-aged female caregivers. In all 95 women participated in face-to-face individual, structured interviews. Trends in the data indicate that the more peerlike the motherldaughter relationship at the time of the caregiving experience, the less stress the adult daughter experiences as a caregiver. Implications for further research and practice are provided.