Affect Ratios, Coping, and Burden in Adult Children of Parents with Memory Loss

Abstract: Objectives: Higher levels of positive emotions relative to negative emotions have been associated with resilience and coping, yet this is rarely explored in the context of caregiving. We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of ratios of positive to negative emotions (affect ratios), coping strategies, and caregiver burden in adult children of older adults living with memory loss over 1 year. Methods: Adult children of parents living with memory loss completed self-report questionnaires about their emotions, coping strategies, and caregiver burden at baseline ( N = 150) and at 1-year follow-up ( N = 108). We used regression analysis to evaluate the associations between affect ratios, burden, and coping strategy use. We also tested whether the use of coping strategies moderated the association between the affect ratio and caregiver burden. Results: Greater affect ratios were associated with lower caregiver burden both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, even when accounting for individual measures of positive and negative affect. Greater affect ratios were associated with lower use of avoidant coping strategies. The interaction between affect ratio and coping was significantly associated with caregiver burden: Adult children with higher affect ratios and lower use of avoidant coping strategies reported even lower burden. Discussion: The findings highlight the balance between positive and negative emotions as a key indicator of adult children’s caregiver burden and a potential intervention target. The interaction between the affect ratio and coping suggests that interventions may be most effective when they also aim to reduce avoidant coping strategies.