Attachment and Coping Skills in Daughters Caring for Mothers with Memory Loss
Author Information
Author(s): Gad Dustin, Monin Joan, Wells Jenna
Primary Institution: Cornell University
Hypothesis
Daughters with secure attachment to their mothers with cognitive change will use more effective coping strategies.
Conclusion
Daughters who feel more secure in their interactions with their mothers show better coping strategies and less reliance on negative coping methods.
Supporting Evidence
- Daughters with greater apparent security used less self-distraction.
- Daughters with greater apparent security used less denial.
- Daughters with greater apparent security used less behavioral disengagement.
- Daughters with greater apparent security displayed more positive affect.
- Daughters with greater apparent security engaged in more emotional disclosure.
- Daughters with greater apparent security engaged in more descriptive disclosure.
- Daughters with greater apparent security had more open discussions.
- Daughters with greater apparent security were more receptive to mothers' support attempts.
Takeaway
When daughters feel close and comfortable with their moms who have memory issues, they handle stress better and use healthier ways to cope.
Methodology
Daughter-mother dyads engaged in video-recorded discussions about memory loss, and daughters completed questionnaires on coping styles.
Participant Demographics
Daughter-mother dyads, with daughters providing care for mothers experiencing cognitive change.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = .047, p = .005, p = .010, p < .001, p = .003, p = .015, p = .030
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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