Design: Comparative correlational study and secondary analysis of a subset of data from the major longitudinal multi-site experimental study (PLST Model: Effectiveness for Rural Caregivers) in Iowa, USA.

Sample: Rural non-paid caregivers providing at least 4 hours of weekly supervision (N=57).

Methods: Data variables collected at baseline and at 12 months were analyzed. Pearson Product Moment correlation, backward multiple regression and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.

Findings: The correlation showed social support, subjective burden, caregiver relationship to the care recipient, caregiver age and care recipient genitourinary health problem with the lowest p-values. Subjective burden and relationship to the care recipient were the best predictors of caregiver depression, accounting for 27% of the variance in depression. A significant increase in subjective burden levels for both groups from baseline to 12 months with the control group having greater increased burden levels. No significant difference between the two groups on caregiver subjective burden at 12 months but the experimental group had higher burden levels. No significant difference resulted between groups on caregiver depression at 12 months. A significant difference within groups across time resulted with the control group having greater increased depression levels.

Conclusion: Findings suggest positive effects of the PLST intervention on caregiver's subjective burden and depression levels.

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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004