Leipold Bernhard, Schacke Claudia, Zank Susanne
Institut für Psychologie, Universität Hildesheim, Marienburger Platz 22, 31141 Hildesheim, Germany.
Fachbereich Erziehungswissenschaften und Psychologie, Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie, Universität Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, 57076 Siegen, Germany.
Eur J Ageing. 2008 Aug 26;5(3):203-214. doi: 10.1007/s10433-008-0090-8. eCollection 2008 Sep.
According to several theoretical models, crises or demands can result in enhanced cognitive maturity. Two studies examined whether demands on caregivers provide an opportunity to experience increased cognitive maturity (e.g., cognitive complexity, personal growth through caregiving). In Study 1 (126 relatives of dementia patients; cross-sectional design), personal growth through caregiving was associated with two specific caregiving demands: duration of caregiving and lack of social acknowledgment. Cognitive complexity correlated with duration of caregiving and crystallized intelligence. The caregivers in the second study ( = 321) were participants in LEANDER, The Longitudinal Dementia Caregiver Stress Study. Caregivers were examined in four waves over 27 months. The results indicated an increase in personal growth over time. Using latent growth models, we found that increases in personal growth through caregiving were predicted by increases in the objective caregiving tasks. Cognitive processes (e.g., ruminative thoughts, life reflection) provide a possible explanation for an increase in cognitive maturity.
根据几个理论模型，危机或需求可导致认知成熟度提高。两项研究探讨了对照顾者的要求是否提供了体验认知成熟度提高的机会（例如，认知复杂性、通过照顾实现个人成长）。在研究1中（126名痴呆症患者的亲属；横断面设计），通过照顾实现的个人成长与两种特定的照顾要求相关：照顾时长和缺乏社会认可。认知复杂性与照顾时长和晶体智力相关。第二项研究（n = 321）中的照顾者是纵向痴呆症照顾者压力研究LEANDER的参与者。在27个月内分四波对照顾者进行了检查。结果表明个人成长随时间增加。使用潜在增长模型，我们发现客观照顾任务的增加预测了通过照顾实现的个人成长的增加。认知过程（例如，反复思考、生活反思）为认知成熟度的提高提供了一种可能的解释。
