Dyadic effects of gratitude on burden, conflict, and contribution in the family caregiver and sibling relationship

ABSTRACT

Family caregivers are a quickly growing population in American society and are potentially vulnerable to a number of risks to well-being. High stress and little support can combine to cause difficulties in health and personal relationships. Siblings are, however, a possible source of protection for the at-risk caregiver. This study examines the relationships between caregiver burden, relational conflict, individual contribution, and gratitude exchange between caregivers and their siblings as they attend to the issue of caring for aging parents. Dyadic data were collected through an online survey and were analyzed using a series of actor–partner interdependence models. Dimensions of gratitude related to reduced caregiver burden, improved care-related conflict, and promotion of greater contribution to caregiving.

KEYWORDS:

• Caregiving
• gratitude
• sibling relationships
• dyadic analysis

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Drs Katherine I. Miller, Janet K. Alberts, and Kimberly Updegraff for their coaching through this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication and the Graduate and Professional Student Association of Arizona State University.