Citation

Wackerbarth SB, Tarasenko YN. Aging Ment. Health 2018; 22(5): 692-699.

Affiliation

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health , Georgia Southern University , Statesboro , GA , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13607863.2017.1292206

PMID

28282725

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Family responsibilities and social expectations often prompt conflict in caregivers' decision-making processes. Janis and Mann's (1977) conflict model describes vigilance as high-quality decision-making resulting in optimal outcomes. The purpose of our research was threefold: (1) to describe decision styles in a population of family caregivers of persons with dementia; (2) to examine the socio-economic characteristics associated with caregivers who are more likely to be vigilant decision-makers; and (3) to assess differences in caregiving experiences between vigilant and non-vigilant caregivers.

METHOD: Our analysis was based on 639 survey respondents recruited from a university-affiliated memory disorders clinic.

RESULTS: Our typical caregiver was Caucasian non-Hispanic, was currently married, and had two children. Approximately half of our sample used a 'pure vigilant' decision style. Vigilance was associated with more positive and fewer negative caregiving outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Supporting caregivers to become vigilant decision-makers is a functionally viable intervention that could significantly improve the caregiving experience.

Language: en

Keywords

Janis and Mann conflict theory; caregivers; decision support techniques; decision-making; dementia; family