Spousal motivations of care for demented older adults: A cross-cultural comparison of Greek and American female caregivers

Purpose of the study: This study examines motivations for caregiving in American and Greek female spousal caregivers (FSCGs), and identifies cross-culturally equivalent and culturally specific types of motivations for care of a demented spouse. Design and Methods: Thirty American women and 44 Greek women who were caring for their demented husbands were surveyed about their motivations for caregiving. Results: Greek and American FSCGs were dissimilar in the extent to which they reported being motivated by a desire to maintain family harmony. Greek and American caregivers also differed in how often they cited financial reasons, wanting to please their spouse, being against institutionalization, and giving the best care as motivations for care. Implications: Culturally related differences in caregiving motivations may translate into differences in the extent to which motivations result in adaptive or maladaptive outcome for the caregiver and the care recipient.