Positive aspects of caregiving: Factor structure and association with depression and exemplary care

Abstract

Limited studies have addressed gains that caregivers garner from their role and their propensity to dispense quality care to their loved ones. This study advances the literature by assessing the factor structure of positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) and its effect on depression and exemplary care (EC). Three hundred and fifty Hong Kong Chinese caregivers responded to scales evaluating PAC, EC, depression, caregiving burden, problem behaviors, and self-rated health. Exploratory factor analysis results support a 2-factor solution (Factor 1: Affirming self; Factor 2: Enriching life) for the Chinese PAC. Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with depression, self-rated health, EC, and frustration and confidence in dealing with problem behaviors. More important, higher PAC buffers the deleterious effects of depressive symptoms and fosters EC. Our results suggest that measuring PAC is important for interventionists to identify psychological resources of caregivers and capitalize these resources for interventions.