| Abstract: | The purpose of this research was to examine the role that caregiver support groups play for caregivers to a relative with dementia. First, we compared current caregivers who attended support groups (i.e, attendees; n = 27) with those who did not attend (i.e., nonattendees; n = 52) with respect to hassles appraisals, coping effort, and global indices of well-being (i.e., depression, negative and positive affect, life satisfaction). Next, we compared nonattendees who were unable to attend support groups due to logistical barriers (e.g., lack of transportation) with those who chose not to attend support groups. Attendees and nonattendees did not differ with respect to caregiving hassles or self-help, negative focus or escape coping strategies, although caregivers who attended support groups did engage in more help-seeking behaviors. Similarly, attendees and nonattendees did not differ with respect to any of the well-being outcomes. However, caregivers who were unable to attend support groups due to logistical barriers reponed significantly more caregiving hassles and lower positive affect than did caregivers who chose not to attend groups. Results highlight the importance of motivational and situational aspects of caregivers' support group participation. |
