Date: January 27 , 1999
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Study Finds Caregiver Involvement Helps Overall Health and Adjustment of Patients With Physical Disabilities

In research that may benefit physically disabled patients, psychologists Timothy R. Elliott, Ph.D., Richard M. Shewchuk, Ph.D., and J. Scott Richards, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that caregivers who demonstrate social problem-solving abilities, such as handling stress and the demands of home-base care, are more likely to improve the overall health of their patient and decrease the health care expense associated with secondary complications.

Researchers measured the problem-solving abilities of 66 family member caregivers for patients with spinal cord injuries. A correlation was documented between caregiver characteristics and patient's emotional and physical outcomes. For example, caregivers who tended to solve problems impulsively and carelessly were associated with patients that had difficulty accepting their disability and who were diagnosed with pressure sores when returning for follow-up evaluation.

According to Dr. Elliott, lead author of the study, ''Our research indicates the need to consider psychological intervention for the family members of disabled patients immediately after the onset of the condition. The role of caregiving for persons with permanent and severely disabling conditions comes suddenly and imposes immediate and extreme changes in the caregiver's personal and professional life. As our health care delivery system changes, there is more necessity for family members to take on the caregiving function. If the family members are unable to meet the demands of their new role, the risk of overall health care expense increases.''

The researchers cautioned that further research is necessary, but noted that this ''study is the first to establish a meaningful link between caregiver problem-solving styles and patient psychological and health outcomes. The implications of these findings for clinical practice and policy formation are considerable.''

Article: ''Caregiver Social Problem-Solving Abilities and Family Member Adjustment to Recent-Onset Physical Disability,'' Timothy R. Elliott, Ph. D., Richard M. Schewchuk, Ph.D., and J. Scott Richards, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Rehabilitation Psychology, Vol. 44, No. 1.

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 155,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 50 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 59 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.