Effects on resilience of caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorder: the role of positive cognitions. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc 2012;18(6):337-44
Date
11/10/2012Pubmed ID
23139377DOI
10.1177/1078390312467056Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84870753513 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 37 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Approximately 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Family caregivers manage many aspects of their care, which is demanding, overwhelming, and can affect their mental health.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of caregiver burden (risk factor) and positive cognitions (protective factors) on resourcefulness (resilience indicator) in 95 caregivers of persons with ASD.
DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional.
RESULTS: Positive cognitions explained 32% of the variance in resourcefulness, F(1, 93) = 44.49, p < .001, and as positive cognitions increased, caregivers' resourcefulness increased. A substantial drop in the beta weight of caregiver burden from B = -.36 to -.04 when positive cognitions was entered the equation suggested that positive cognitions mediated the effect of caregiver burden on resourcefulness.
CONCLUSION: The results support resilience theory and suggest a need for developing interventions to strengthen positive thinking among caregivers of persons with ASD.
Author List
Bekhet AK, Johnson NL, Zauszniewski JAAuthor
Norah Johnson PhD Assistant Professor in the College ofnursing department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdult
Aged
Attitude to Health
Caregivers
Child
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Cognition
Cost of Illness
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Resilience, Psychological
Risk Factors
Social Support
Stress, Psychological
United States
Young Adult
