Abstract

FIGUEIREDO, Daniela; LIMA, Margarida Pedroso  and  SOUSA, Liliana. Family caregivers of dependent elderly with and without dementia: Social Personal network and life satisfaction. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2012, vol.13, n.1, pp.117-129. ISSN 1645-0086.

This study aims to analyse and compare social personal network and life satisfaction in family carers of demented and non-demented elderly. The sample comprises 99 participants: 52 care of a demented elderly and 47 of a non-demented one. Social personal network was studied by a questionnaire designed from Social Personal Network Analysis Instrument. Life satisfaction was evaluated by the Portuguese version of Satisfaction With Life Scale. Main findings suggest: both sub-samples have small and mainly primary social personal networks; technical support is the less represented function; life satisfaction is generally low for both sub-samples, nevertheless lower among those who care for a demented elderly; family carers of a demented elderly with smaller social personal networks are less satisfied with life. These results emphasize the importance of psychosocial interventions centred on the personal network, developing additional support sources.

Keywords : family caregiver; dependent elderly; social personal network; satisfaction with life.

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