Nancy J. Gladwell

Mediation Analysis of Leisure, Perceived Stress, and Quality of Life in Informal Caregivers

Abstract Due to the prediction of a significant increase in older adults as well as an expected decrease in availability of professional homecare, the number of informal caregivers in the United States is expected grow exponentially by the year 2050. Unfortunately, caregivers will likely continue to experience negative health consequences due to caregiver burden. In this study, mediation analysis was used to investigate the relationship among three leisure variables, perceived stress, and quality of life of informal family caregivers. Results showed that the effect of two of the leisure variables mediated quality of life through perceived stress. Recommendations address discussion of alternative recreation programming perspectives for informal caregivers as well as further research directions to expand these findings.

Barriers to Leisure Travel of Family Caregivers: A Preliminary Examination

Research demonstrates the health consequences of caregiving as well as the health benefits of leisure pursuits. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the barriers to leisure travel for family caregivers. Participants comprised 105 family caregivers in North Carolina who completed an 86-item questionnaire. Factor analysis generated 5 primary factors (Environment, Personal, Service Provision, Financial, and Shared Leisure) that represented primary constraints to leisure travel for this population. Additional analysis indicated that these caregivers greatly missed their leisure, which they gave up as a result of caregiving. Implications for practice and research exist that could address the negotiation of these barriers.