Other Roles of Caregivers: Competing Responsibilities or Supportive Resources

Although the majority of research has conceptualized other roles of caregivers as competing commitments, a growing body of literature views multiple roles as supportive resources. This study examined the impact of multiple roles on the caregiving experience among informal helpers of a probability sample of elderly people living in a community setting. Results indicate that other roles, particularly when caregiving involves a large time commitment, do contribute to burden. However, other roles, especially roles outside the family, are also associated with improved caregiver well-being.