Stress mediation in caregivers of cognitively impaired adults: theoretical model testing.

The purpose of the study was to test a midrange model of caregiver stress mediation based on Modeling and Role-Modeling theory. Perceived support and self-worth were examined to determine if these self-care resources had a mediating effect between stress and well-being in caregivers of cognitively impaired adults. The sample of 117 caregivers completed measures of basic need status, perceived support, self-worth, stress, and well-being. There were significant correlations among the study variables in the expected directions. Resources mediated the relationship between stress and well-being, providing tentative support for theoretically proposed linkages.