Mother-daughter eldercare and changing relationships: A path-analytic investigation of factors underlying positive, adaptive relationships

One hundred and twenty-two pairs (n=244) of caregiver daughters and care recipient mothers were interviewed individually to investigate the factors underlying positive, adaptive eldercare relationships. The 2 eldercare outcome variables examined were caregiving pairs' degree of congruency in role expectancies and perceived personal growth and an enhanced understanding of personal aging (self, other) through the caregiving experience. Participants were also categorized by caregiving pair type (e. g., positive), derived from "blind" ratings of participants' responses. Factors examined as being significant predictors of these 2 outcome variables for both caregivers and care recipients were perceived relationship roles (perceived role changes, perceived role relations) and individual-difference characteristics ("big five" personality dimensions, fluid intellectual ability). Path analysis results supported the importance of both role-related and individual-difference factors in understanding "what works." Further, the need to differentiate between the perceptions and motivations of caregivers and care recipients is supported by the present research findings.