The influence of family resources and family demands on the strains and well-being of caregiving families.

The purpose of this study was to test a theoretical model developed to explain strains and well-being in families providing care to an elderly parent. The influences of family resources and demands on the well-being of caregiving families and the strains they experienced were examined in a sample of 65 families recruited through a variety of agencies serving older adults and their families. Two types of resources were examined: social support and internal system resources. Demands examined included family life events, the amount of care provided to the elderly parent, and the caregiver's appraisal of caregiving. Socioeconomic status (SES) was included in tests of the model since it was related to both family internal system resources and well-being. Resource variables, demand variables, and SES together accounted for 26% of the variance in family strains. Resource variables, strains, and SES together accounted for 65% of the variance in family well-being.