Trait Resilience and Distress Among Family Caregivers of Children with Severe Disabilities
Receiving Pulmonary Services
Courtney Francis1, Ryan T. Blucker1, Robert Warren2, Ann Marie Warren3, Timothy R. Elliott1, and Jack W. Berry4
1Texas
Results
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to examine personality prototypes among
family caregivers of children with severe disabilities, and the relation of trait
resilience to their distress. Research indicates that as with many caregiver
roles, burnout and psychological distress are commonplace. Furthermore, the
literature suggests that the Big Five personality factors (John & Srivastava,
1999), can be reliable predictors of functioning in important domains of life
such as psychological adjustment and coping (McCrae, 1991; McCrae &
Costa, 1986), overall happiness and satisfaction with life (Costa & McCrae,
1980; Myers & Diener, 1995), and general physical health and wellness
behaviors (Booth-Kewley & Vickers, 1994). More recently, the Big Five
personality can be used to determine personality prototypes, including trait
resilience, that may be associated with adjustment and coping in times of
stress (Berry, Elliott & Rivera, 2007). Trait resilience has yet to examined
among family caregivers, generally, and specifically among caregivers of
children with severe neurodisabilities who require chronic pulmonary
management.
A&M University, Department of Educational Psychology
2Arkansas Children’s Hospital
3Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
4Samford University
Cluster analysis of BFQ yielded 3 cluster prototypes:
22 caregivers were characterized as resilient, 17 were
uncontrolled types, and 17 were overcontrolled types.
As referenced in Figure1, the resilient caregiver group
is a perfect reflection of what is typically found in trait
resilience: high extraversion, low neuroticism, and
above average on openness, conscientiousness, and
agreeableness. The undercontrolled group is high on
extraversion, but also high in neuroticism, and below
average in agreeableness and conscientiousness. The
overcontrolled group is low on extraversion and high
neuroticism (the signature feature of this type).
A series of one-way ANOVAs revealed that the resilient
caregivers reported significantly lower levels of anxiety (p=.035)
and greater mental health (p=.001) than caregivers characterized
as uncontrolled or overcontrolled (See Table 1).
Overcontrolled caregivers reported significantly greater
tendencies to avoid problems, and a more negative problemsolving orientation than other caregivers. Resilient caregivers
reported more rational problem-solving abilities and a more
positive orientation than others. These findings are consistent with
the Berry et al study of personality prototypes. As the literature
suggests the characteristics found in resilient prototypes do not
uniquely predispose an individual to better health and adjustment
nor do the characteristics found in overcontrolled and
undercontrolled types predispose one to distress.
Figure 1.
Table 1.
Method
This study is a cross-sectional study of 60 caregivers of children with severe
disabilities who were being followed for chronic pulmonary management.
Caregivers provided informed consent and completed the Big 5
Questionnaire (BFQ). Participants were family caregivers of children with
severe disabilities who are seen in the Arkansas Center for Respiratory
Technology Dependent Children (ACRTDC) outpatient clinic. The caregivers
of these children, and the focus of this study, are typically parents (either
coupled or single), grandparents, older siblings, or an extended family
member. Participants were self- identified as a primary caregiver of a patient
followed in the ACRTDC program. Measures given include the PHQ (to
assess depression and anxiety), the SF-12 (to assess physical and mental
health), and a measure of social problem solving abilities. First hierarchical
clustering with Ward's to get the personality clusters, then we used a kmeans clustering using the results of Ward's method as a starting point.
Differences between the personality prototypes on the adjustment variables
were then examined.
Discussion
*all p’s < .05
Family caregivers who have resilient personality styles may be less likely to have anxiety issues. Caregivers who are more overcontrolled may be particularly predisposed to distress and lack effective
problem-solving skills. Although the study is limited by its cross-sectional nature and its reliance on self-report measures, the results indicate that trait resilience may be identified among family caregivers,
and caregivers have characteristics associated with an overcontrolled personality style may be prone to distress and adjustment problems. This information may be useful in developing strategic programs for
caregivers who may be at risk for distress.