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STUDY FINDS CAREGIVER INVOLVEMENT HELPS OVERALL HEALTH AND ADJUSTMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

WASHINGTON - Psychological and physical adjustment is higher for
physically disabled patients with caregivers who are effective
problem-solvers, according to new research in the February issue of
Rehabilitation Psychology, published by the American Psychological
Association's Division on Rehabilitation Psychology.

In research that may benefit physically disabled patients, psychologists
Timothy R. Elliott, Ph.D., Richard M. Shewchuk, Ph.D., and J. Scott
Richards, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that
caregivers who demonstrate social problem-solving abilities, such as
handling stress and the demands of home-base care, are more likely to
improve the overall health of their patient and decrease the health care
expense associated with secondary complications.

Researchers measured the problem-solving abilities of 66 family member
caregivers for patients with spinal cord injuries. A correlation was
documented between caregiver characteristics and patient's emotional and
physical outcomes. For example, caregivers who tended to solve problems
impulsively and carelessly were associated with patients that had difficulty
accepting their disability and who were diagnosed with pressure sores when
returning for follow-up evaluation.

According to Dr. Elliott, lead author of the study, "Our research
indicates the need to consider psychological intervention for the family
members of disabled patients immediately after the onset of the condition.
The role of caregiving for persons with permanent and severely disabling
conditions comes suddenly and imposes immediate and extreme changes in the
caregiver's personal and professional life. As our health care delivery
system changes, there is more necessity for family members to take on the
caregiving function. If the family members are unable to meet the demands of
their new role, the risk of overall health care expense increases."

The researchers cautioned that further research is necessary, but noted
that this "study is the first to establish a meaningful link between
caregiver problem-solving styles and patient psychological and health
outcomes. The implications of these findings for clinical practice and
policy formation are considerable."

Article: "Caregiver Social Problem-Solving Abilities and Family Member
Adjustment to Recent-Onset Physical Disability," Timothy R. Elliott, Ph. D.,
Richard M. Schewchuk, Ph.D., and J. Scott Richards, Ph.D., University of
Alabama at Birmingham, Rehabilitation Psychology, Vol. 44, No. 1.

(Full Text available from the APA Public Affairs Office or at
www.apa.org/journals/rep.html)

Timothy R. Elliott, Ph.D., can be reached at 202-934-3454 or at
[email protected].

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the
largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in
the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists.
APA's membership includes more than 155,000 researchers, educators,
clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 50 subfields
of psychology and affiliations with 58 state, territorial and Canadian
provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a
profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.

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