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Dissertation
An updated model of perceived stress in caregivers for acquired brain injury
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001745
Abstract
The current study aimed to elucidate the internal and external factors which contribute to perceived stress and outcomes in the caregivers of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). There is consistent evidence of poor mental and physical health outcomes in caregivers for those with ABI, which additionally negatively impacts the recovery of the individual they are caring for. The literature on the contributing factors to caregiver outcomes is rich but lacks a comprehensive model which can accurately predict perceived stress, mental and physical health in caregivers for ABI. The proposed study aimed to develop and assess a model elucidating the factors which contribute to caregiver stress by improving upon the Perceived Stress Model of Caregiver Burden (PSB; Chwalisz, 1996). Specifically, the modified PSB (mPSB) evaluates the impact of patient functional status, time since their injury and caregiver emotional intelligence (EI), in addition to the variables included in the original PSB. Using data collected via online surveys from 198 caregivers for individuals hospitalized with ABI within the prior 10 years, these models, along with a Post-Hoc Model, were evaluated utilizing structural equation modeling techniques (SEM). Findings showed that the PSB was the strongest fit to the data, and that the Post-Hoc Model explained the most variance in outcomes of interest. Moreover, the study found that patient-related variables are less impactful than EI, social support and engagement in coping in predicting outcomes for these caregivers. Future studies would benefit from the inclusion of EI in evaluating caregiver burden, as well as the development of interventions in this population related to this construct to improve their outcomes.
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Details
- Title
- An updated model of perceived stress in caregivers for acquired brain injury
- Creators
- Rebecca B. Williams
- Contributors
- Maria Teresa Schultheis (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 94 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021212415004721