Malonebeach E E, Zarit S H
Pennsylvania State University.
Int J Aging Hum Dev. 1991;32(2):103-14. doi: 10.2190/WKAL-WKPU-FJMT-6Y8U.
Caregivers for dependent elders have been the subject of numerous studies in recent years. This first wave of research demonstrates that caregiving is demanding and may be expensive to the caregiver socially, psychologically, physically, and financially. This article reviews the caregiving literature and focuses on current limitations and future directions for study in two areas: sampling and research design. Specifically suggested are ways to refine sampling procedures and to more carefully define what a caregiver is. In the design of caregiving studies, both group and individual differences offer insight into the impact of caregiving. In addition, dyadic measurement of the caregiver, the elder, and the family are suggested. Finally, in examining a progressive phenomenon such as Alzheimer's disease or memory loss, longitudinal designs are necessary and timely.
近年来，照顾依赖他人的老年人的照料者一直是众多研究的主题。这第一轮研究表明，照顾工作要求很高，对照料者来说，在社交、心理、身体和经济方面可能成本高昂。本文回顾了照料方面的文献，并聚焦于两个领域研究的当前局限性和未来方向：抽样和研究设计。具体建议了改进抽样程序以及更仔细地界定照料者定义的方法。在照料研究的设计中，群体和个体差异都能为照料的影响提供见解。此外，建议对偶地测量照料者、老年人和家庭。最后，在研究诸如阿尔茨海默病或记忆力丧失等渐进性现象时，纵向设计是必要且适时的。
