Differences in the perceived well-being of wives and husbands caring for persons with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

This study aimed to examine differences in subjective psychological well-being between husband and wife caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease in comparison to the psychological states of noncaregiver husbands and wives similar in age and ethnicity. The principal comparison of interest was whether differences between husband and wife caregivers were greater than those between comparison group husbands and wives. Significant interactions for six out of nine psychological measures indicate that gender-related differences between spouse caregivers were specifically associated with the caregiving role. Possible explanations for the discrepancy between husband and wife caregivers as well as practice implications are discussed.