Motivating factors, exchange patterns, and reciprocity among caregivers of parents with and without dementia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of background characteristics, motivating factors, exchange patterns, and diagnosis of dementia on caregiver reciprocity. Adult children of parents with dementia (n = 110) and without dementia (n = 195) completed the Caregiver Reciprocity Scale, Motivating Factors Index, Exchange Patterns Index, and a demographic data sheet. ANCOVA analysis indicated adult children of parents with dementia gave more direct instrumental and supervisory care, received more negative and fewer positive exchanges, and reported significantly lower levels of warmth and regard, intrinsic rewards of giving, and balance within family caregiving when compared to adult children of parents without dementia. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that 64% of the variance of warmth and regard; 42% of intrinsic rewards of giving; 48% of love and affection; and 31% of balance within family caregiving was explained by antecedent demographic variables, motivating factors, exchanges given and received, and dementia. Surprisingly, the diagnosis of dementia did not contribute to explained variance in caregiver reciprocity.