Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

8 p.

Publication Date

11-2012

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association

Source ISSN

1078-3903

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1177/1078390312467056

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Approximately 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Family caregivers manage many aspects of their care, which is demanding, overwhelming, and can affect their mental health. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of caregiver burden (risk factor) and positive cognitions (protective factors) on resourcefulness(resilience indicator) in 95 caregivers of persons with ASD. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional. RESULTS: Positive cognitions explained 32% of the variance in resourcefulness, F(1, 93) = 44.49, p < .001, and as positive cognitions increased, caregivers’ resourcefulness increased. A substantial drop in the beta weight of caregiver burden from B = −.36 to −.04 when positive cognitions was entered the equation suggested that positive cognitions mediated the effect of caregiver burden on resourcefulness. CONCLUSION: The results support resilience theory and suggest a need for developing interventions to strengthen positive thinking among caregivers of persons with ASD.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Vol. 18, No. 6 (November/December 2012): 337-344. DOI. © 2012 SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

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