Positive Experiences and Self-Gain among Family Caregivers of Persons with Heart Failure

Background The majority of aging adults with heart failure (HF) receive support from a family caregiver. Most literature has emphasized the stressors and burden of caregiving, with less focus on positive self-gains associated with caregiving. Methods and Results Using an explanatory sequential design, we assessed self-gain by administering a survey to caregivers of a person with HF (n = 108) and then conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with a subset (n = 16) of these caregivers. Quantitative results indicate spousal caregivers, and caregivers with higher preparedness and higher mastery had greater odds of reporting high self-gain. Content analysis of qualitative data revealed 3 themes of self-gain including (i) caregiving as a means to enhancing relationships, (ii) success in negotiating care and healthy behaviors with people with HF, and (iii) caregiving as a means of preparing caregivers for the future. Conclusions HF caregivers experience a range of positive self-gains and the ability to find meaning in the stressful caregiving role. Caregivers' ability to garner intrinsic gains from their role can have important benefits well after caregiving has ended.