AN OBJECTIVE MEASURE OF STRESS REACTIVITY/RESILIENCE IN BLACK WOMEN DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS
2024

Stress Reactivity in Black Women Caregivers

Sample size: 16 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wright Kathy, Moss Karen, Helsabeck Nathan, Adams Ingrid Richards, Rose Karen, Klatt Maryanna D

Primary Institution: The Ohio State University

Hypothesis

The Pittsburgh Stress Battery (PSB) can objectively measure stress reactivity and resilience in Black women dementia caregivers.

Conclusion

The PSB effectively elicits stress responses in terms of blood pressure and heart rate, indicating its potential for use in community settings.

Supporting Evidence

  • The PSB includes three challenging tasks to measure stress.
  • Average participant age was 62.4 years.
  • Mean systolic blood pressure at baseline was 128.9 mmHg.

Takeaway

This study looked at how stress affects Black women who care for family members with dementia, using a special test to measure their stress levels.

Methodology

The PSB was administered in a non-laboratory setting, measuring blood pressure and heart rate during three tasks.

Limitations

Some tasks were not completed due to technical issues or refusal.

Participant Demographics

Participants were Black American women caregivers aged 40-65 with hypertension.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3621

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