Marital Satisfaction and Resilience in Caregivers of Spouses with Dementia

This study explored the relationship between resilience and marital satisfaction in caregivers of spouses with dementia. Thirty spouses were recruited from the Gerontology Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and caregiver support groups in Colorado. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, Global Deterioration Scale, Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire for Older Persons, Resiliency Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, and Screen for Caregiver Burden. Results indicated that when spouses perceived greater caregiver burden, they reported less marital satisfaction. The opposite relationship was found with age; older caregivers reported more marital satisfaction. Resiliency, gender, and stage of cognitive impairment were not related to marital satisfaction.