Article

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate the content of a conceptual framework
concerning outcomes for caregivers whose recipients are assistive technology
users. DESIGN: The study was designed in four stages. First, a list of potential
key variables relevant to the caregivers of assistive technology users was
generated from a review of the existing literature and semistructured interviews
with caregivers. Second, the variables were analyzed, regrouped, and partitioned,
using a conceptual mapping approach. Third, the key areas were anchored in a
general stress model of caregiving. Finally, the judgments of rehabilitation
experts were used to evaluate the conceptual framework. RESULTS: An important
result of this study is the identification of a complex set of variables that
need to be considered when examining the experience of caregivers of assistive
technology users. Stressors, such as types of assistance, number of tasks, and
physical effort, are predominant contributors to caregiver outcomes along with
caregivers' personal resources acting as mediating factors (intervening
variables) and assistive technology acting as a key moderating factor (effect
modifier variable). CONCLUSIONS: Recipients' use of assistive technology can
enhance caregivers' well being because of its potential for alleviating a number
of stressors associated with caregiving. Viewed as a whole, this work
demonstrates that the assistive technology experience of caregivers has many
facets that merit the attention of outcomes researchers.

Langue : ANGLAIS