Care-Related Decision-Making Satisfaction and Caregiver Well-Being in Families Caring for Older Members

Families provide care and make decisions regarding care within the context of specific structural characteristics and the broader family environment. This research analyzes data from 244 adult child and spouse caregiver interviews. It examines the impact of structural variables (e.g., caregiver type, elder impairment) and family environment (adaptability, conflict, cohesion) on satisfaction with care-related decision making and caregiver well-being. Regression analysis results indicate that aspects of family environment such as adaptability and conflict are the best predictors of decision-making satisfaction are the best predictors of caregiver depression.