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My Parent—Not Myself

Contrasting Themes in Family Care

University of California, San Francisco

William J. Strawbridge, PhD

Human Population laboratory, Berkeley

We studied 100 adult child caregivers providing care to dependent parents and found that although the vast majority supported family care for older persons in general and their own parent in particular, 46% did not want family care for themselves if they became dependent. For many the contrast between their general statements supporting care of parents and eschewing it for themselves was quite sharp. Caregiver variables significantly associated with not wanting family care for self included age, conflict with relatives over caring, caregiving burden, number of caregiving tasks performed, poorer mental health, and number of years has provided care. Caregivers not wanting family care for self were also more likely to consider placing their parent in a nursing home. Our data reveal contrasting themes in caregiving that may affect caregiver well-being and burden, and that may have implications for the future care of dependent older persons.

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				M. I. Wallhagen and N. Yamamoto-Mitani The Meaning of Family Caregiving in Japan and the United States: A Qualitative Comparative Study J Transcult Nurs, January 1, 2006; 17(1): 65 - 73. [Abstract] [PDF]