Citation

Hansen BR, Hodgson NA, Budhathoki C, Gitlin LN. J. Appl. Gerontol. 2018; ePub(ePub): 733464818756999.

Affiliation

1 Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0733464818756999

PMID

29457520

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe caregiver challenges with and confidence managing three aggressive behavior types in persons with dementia: verbal aggression, destroying property, and threatening to hurt others. DESIGN AND METHOD: Secondary analysis of baseline data from the 2001-2004 Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health II (REACH II) initiative.

RESULTS: One or more aggressive behaviors within 1 week were reported by more than a third of caregivers, with most expressing upset but fewer expressing confidence managing the behaviors. Caregiver distress and confidence differed by race/ethnicity in response to verbal aggression, with more White/Caucasian caregivers expressing upset than Hispanic/Latinos or Black/African Americans. Fewer Hispanic/Latinos expressed confidence managing verbal aggression, compared with White/Caucasians or Black/African Americans.

DISCUSSION: Aggressive behaviors challenge caregivers, with reactions varying by behavior type and race/ethnicity. Cultural and contextual factors suggest the need to tailor interventions, especially skill-building interventions that increase confidence managing aggressive behaviors while decreasing upset.

Language: en

Keywords

aggressive behavior; behavioral symptoms; caregiving; dementia; health disparity