CAREGIviNG AND ETHNICITY

This research examined the relationship between ethnicity and the psychological status and behavior of Jewish and non-Jewish caregivers in relation to the impaired elderly. It was hypothesized that Jewish caregivers would make significantly more use of formal services than non-Jewish (usually Christian) caregivers. Two separate data sets were analyzed. The first study, "Senile Dementia Patients: Mental Health of Caregivers," had 239 subjects with complete information from the variables used in the analyses: clinical depression (to measurf. caregiver's psychological well-being) and the use of formal services (to measure caregiver's behavior). The second study, "Caring for Spouses with Alzheimer's Disease or Related Disorders: Crisis vs. Adaptation," had 228 subjects with complete information on all variables needed. Hierarchical stepwise regressions were completed with the ethnicity measure entering after all the other independent variables had entered the equation. qesults showed that while ethnicity remained a significant predictor of behavior after controlling for the major correlates of the use of formal services, it was no longer a significant predictor of psychological status after controlling for the same independent variables. Discussion focuses on the role of ethnic heritage in determining attitudes toward suffering and willingness to use formal services. (TE) $1,780*RQA*01117300W*O**01174*W*USTX*A0***PI*A***ft**ARP**PAIRARA*Ait********0***** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. A r .....**................................................... U.S. DEPART SENT OP EDUCATSON Oft. ot Fciucvoita4 AMPIIIV!1% and #01;001"mt"1 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INEORNIATiON CENTERIERICI iNtg tifttiterwant MOS t,Hfr, ,Vprodu,et1 'Pc etv00 frOm" th1, 04,%0, ohcvnAlt,cv ,t 14An0, chanvrs nave rove, .,adv ,efrotio.f101, th,thip 4)' vreW Opn,l,,,S litOtt.1, inns rne,1 tit) nit, elpt.,pEtrav ,eptf.7te,t othc (1.*21mIsqq,,,C.t.1.06(1, CAREGIviNG AND ETHNICITY Allen Glicksman Philadelphia Geriatric Center "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY / 7V /3 /./CotZpe/ '44.# TO THE MICATIC)NAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER IERIG)