The Gerontologist, Vol 32, Issue 5 656-664, Copyright © 1992 by The Gerontological Society of America
Caregiving: role engulfment and the loss of self
MM Skaff and LI Pearlin
Center for Health Care Evaluation, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
"Loss of self" was examined in a sample of spouses and adult children
caring for a relative with Alzheimer's disease. Defined as a loss of
identity that comes about as a result of engulfment in the caregiver role,
it was found to be more common among spouses, females, and younger
caregivers. Limited social contact and lack of social roles outside that of
caregiver were found to be related to greater loss of self. It is
associated with lower self-esteem and mastery and with greater depressive
symptomatology.
