Abstract Principle Investigator: Maryann Abendroth, PhD, RN Research Title: Caregiver Strain Risk as a Predictor of Physical Health among Informal Caregivers of Persons with Parkinson's Disease

Principle Investigator: Maryann Abendroth, PhD, RN Research Title: Caregiver Strain Risk as a Predictor of Physical Health among Informal Caregivers of Persons with Parkinson's Disease Purpose: The purpose is to determine whether a newly modified and validated tool, the Caregiver Strain Risk Screen-14 (CSRS-14) specifically designed for informal caregivers of persons with Parkinson’s disease, is predictive of frequency of physical health symptoms in informal unpaid caregivers. Background and Significance: Parkinson’s disease is an incurable degenerative neurological condition and, unlike for some other chronic diseases, the unpredictability of symptom presentation, coupled with an uncertain disease course, can present unique challenges for informal caregivers. The complexity of motor and non-motor symptoms can intensify caregiver strain. Existing instruments to measure strain specific to caregivers of persons with Parkinson’s disease have not been based on theory nor were they psychometrically tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Validation through such testing strengthens the value of the CSRS-14 over other tools in evidence-based practice, as does its theory base. It is important to attend to the impact that caring for persons with Parkinson’s disease has on informal caregivers, because such caregivers tend to ignore their own ailments due to the focus on caregiving. Methods: A non-experimental, correlational design using cross-sectional data will be implemented. A survey questionnaire will measure the variables of interest: frequency of physical health symptoms, caregiver strain risk, age of caregiver and care recipient, length of time since diagnosis, mobility level of care recipient, hours/week of paid and unpaid respite care. The CSRS-14 will measure caregiver strain risk, and the Barthel Index will measure the mobility level of the care recipients. The dependent variable, frequency of physical health symptoms will be measured using the Pennebaker Inventory of Limbic Languidness. Online and paper/pencil survey formats will be available. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis will determine whether scores on the CSRS-14 are predictive of frequency of physical health symptoms in caregivers of person with Parkinson’s disease while controlling for demographic variables. Relevance to Nursing: Often caregivers ignore their own physical symptoms because they are focused only on the health needs of the care recipient. The CSRS-14, if predictive of frequency of physical health symptoms, may indicate the need for nurses to investigate further the health and well-being of caregivers of persons with Parkinson’s disease. Although currently nurses may informally assess caregivers for strain risk during appointments for persons with Parkinson’s disease, the valid and reliable CSRS-14 would provide an efficient tool for formal assessment of risk for strain in this vulnerable population of caregivers. That is, users of the CSRS-14 will be relying on an efficient instrument grounded in theory and research. The value of interweaving theory, research, and practice is that it enhances evidence-based care, leading to measurable outcomes that are critical to advances in nursing science.