Coping among African-American daughters caring for aging parents.

BACKGROUND

A higher proportion of African-American caregivers reported having suffered physical and mental problems because of caregiving (U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2005).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the coping strategies of African-American daughters who have functioned as caregivers. The Neuman Systems model was utilized as the framework for this study.

METHOD: An exploratory design utilizing qualitative and quantitative methodologies was conducted in two phases. Phase I (N = 44) consisted of a series of focus groups sessions and Phase II (N = 106) participants completed the Basic Interview Schedule Survey.

DISCUSSION: Findings revealed than other groups to report dementia and stroke in their care recipients that daughters who attended support groups had increased family involvement, were religious and coped better with caregiving.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that religion gave most participants a strong tolerance for the caregiving situation and served to mediate the caregiving strain.