Table 2 Active variables and their categories
Concept SoCA | Variable | Categories | Short names |
|---|---|---|---|
Dyadic Relationship | kinship relation between iC and PwD | spouse/partner | spouse |
parent–child | child | ||
other relative | other relative | ||
living situation of the PwD | living alone (or alone with 24 h help) | living alone | |
cohabiting with iC | living with iC | ||
cohabiting with another relative | living with other relative | ||
loss of relationship between the PwD and the iC | often/always | loss of relationship | |
never/sometimes | no loss of relationship | ||
age of the iC | up to 65 years old | age iC < 65 | |
older than 65 years old | age iC > 65 | ||
age of the PwD | up to 80 years old | age PwD < 80 | |
older than 80 years old | age PwD > 80 | ||
Change | care level of the PwD according to German long-term care insurancea | no care level | no care level |
first care level | care level 1 | ||
second or third care level | care level > 1 | ||
functional/cognitive ability of the PwD (FAST) | until moderate Alzheimer’s | until moderate dementia | |
moderately severe Alzheimer’s | moderately severe dementia | ||
severe Alzheimer’s | severe dementia | ||
period since the PwD needed help because of the memory loss | since up to 2 years | memory problems < 2 | |
since more than 2 yeas | memory problems > 2 | ||
period since the iC cared for the PwD | since up to 2 years | caring < 2 | |
since more than 2 years | caring > 2 | ||
Carer Role | role conflict between caring for the PwD and profession | always/often | work conflict |
never/sometimes | no work conflict | ||
not working | not working | ||
the iC experiences personal constraints due to caring | always/often | personal constraints | |
never/sometimes | no personal constraints | ||
the iC experiences personal growth due to caring | always/often | personal growth | |
never/sometimes | no personal growth | ||
the iC experiences no recognition from others | always/often | recognition | |
never/sometimes | no recognition | ||
the iC could imagine PwD moving to institutional care | yes | other care setting | |
no | no other care setting | ||
Resources | number of professional services used | none | no professional services |
as least one | professional services | ||
number of groups of informal supporters | one | supporters = 1 | |
two or more | supporters > 1 | ||
the PwD or the iC has sufficient financial resources | yes | enough money | |
no | not enough money | ||
Society & Culture | gender of the iC | female | iC female |
male | iC male | ||
gender of the PwD | female | PwD female | |
male | PwD male | ||
migration background of the iC | yes | migration | |
no | no migration | ||
the iC experiences too little understanding from others for PwD | always/often | no understanding | |
never/sometimes | understanding | ||
Health Care System | the iC experiences a lack of institutional support | always/often | no institutional support |
never/sometimes | institutional support |