A social perspective on perceived benefits in familial caring for an older adult

Abstract

This study examined the benefits perceived by family carers of an older adult and the social elements of the caring experience that may predict greater perceived benefits for carers. Seventy-four people who care for a family member over the age of 65 completed measures of caring tasks, social support, social sharing of emotions, and perceived benefits from the caring experience. The more time carers spent on psychosocial caring tasks the greater benefits they perceived in the areas of lifestyle changes and material gain. Social support predicted the perceived benefit of increased faith in people and social sharing of emotions predicted the perceived benefit of increased community closeness. This study, although preliminary, indicates the importance of the social context of caring in carers’ perceived benefits.