@article{ref1,
title="We Are Caregivers: Social Identity Is Associated with Lower Perceived Stress among Rural Informal Caregivers",
journal="Canadian journal on aging",
year="2019",
author="Carroll, Lisa and Chippior, Jessica and Karmali, Shazya and Sriram, Deepika and Ysseldyk, Renate",
volume="38",
number="1",
pages="59-75",
abstract="ABSTRACTInformal caregivers often experience high stress levels with little support, especially in rural settings. With a mixed-methods approach, this research explored experiences of rural informal caregivers, including how social identification as a caregiver, social interactions, and formal and informal coping support related to perceived stress. Major focus group themes (n = 8) included lacking available services, balancing challenges, unmet practical needs, and strong community identity. Survey data (n = 22) revealed that perceived coping support (e.g., having someone to turn to), social interactions, and caregiver identity (e.g., perceiving the role as important to one's self-concept) were associated with lower life upset stress, but only caregiver identity was associated with managing the personal distress and negative feelings associated with caregiving stress. <br><br>RESULTS suggest that, although available rural services may fall short, other options might alleviate caregiver stress, including facilitating access to coping support, encouraging social interactions, and enhancing caregiver social identity.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0714-9808",
doi="10.1017/S0714980818000430",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0714980818000430"
}