# GENDER AND RACE IN CARE OF THE COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 1992 · $60,847

## Abstract

Although gender differences have been noted in initial assumption of the
caregiver role for spouses of persons with dementia, the type of tasks
performed, access to social resources and caregiver distress, racial
differences in caregiver adaptation have been neglected.  Few studies have
investigated if race and gender differences persist among those who have
become caregivers, what exactly it is about race and gender that affects
adaptation, and how these effects occur.  We use the term "adaptation" to
refer to the positive (e.g., satisfaction) and negative (e.g., distress)
ways in which individuals accommodate to the new or changing circumstances
associated with care for a spouse with dementia.  The proposed research
will examine the influence of race and gender on adaptation to caregiving
by Black and White Couples.  Specific objectives are: 1) to identify race
and gender differences in caregiving stressors, resources, and adaptation
among spouse caregivers of persons with dementia; and, 2) to examine two
hypotheses about the ways that race and gender may influence caregiver
adaptation.  The Global Vulnerability Hypothesis posits that race and
gender differences will influence all the components of adaptation.  The
Specific Vulnerability Hypothesis states that race and gender will exhibit
differential patterns of influence in the adaptation process.  Racial
differences will be greatest in exposure to secondary stressors (e.g.,
financial strains), personal resources (e.g., religious involvement), and
use of informal and formal supports.  Gender differences will be greatest
in selected types of stressors (e.g., the type of tasks performed),
selected resource areas (e.g., preparation for caregiving, and the ways in
which emotional distress and satisfaction are expressed.  The Source of
Vulnerability Hypothesis posits that race and gender differences in
adaptation will be explained by race- and gender- specific exposure to
stressors and access to resources.  The proposed project is a cross-
sectional survey design, using race and gender as factors that structure
the sampling procedure and analysis.  The sample will be recruited from
Chicago hospital clinics specializing in diagnosis and assessment of
Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and will consist of 36 Black
males, 54 White males, 54 Black females, and 81 White females for a total
sample of 225 spouse caregivers.  This sample distribution represents
proportional cell sizes at a ratio of 1.5:1 to maintain orthogonality of
race and gender.  The primary method of data collection will be an in-
person structured interview with the spouse caregiver.  The proposed study
will link macrosocial determinants of adaptation, i.e. race and gender, to
personal and interpersonal explanations of adaptation by examining how the
structures and processes vary across male and female, and black and white
caregivers.  By considering gender and race together in one study, this
study extends theories of gender...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3121269
- **Project number:** 5R01AG009416-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** W8XEAJDKMXH3
- **Principal Investigator:** Baila H. Miller
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $60,847
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-09-01 → 1994-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3121269

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3121269, GENDER AND RACE IN CARE OF THE COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED (5R01AG009416-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3121269. Licensed CC0.

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