Unpaid, or informal, caregivers of dementia patients are more likely to experience heightened stress and a variety of adverse psychological and physical health outcomes as well as disturbed sleep. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to identify interventions that can promote psychological and physical well-being of caregivers. The overarching goal of this proposed study is to investigate the effect of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program in comparison to a relaxation-based stress reduction (RBSR) program on outcomes of well-being and sleep in caregivers of persons with dementia. This study is focused on understanding the effect of MBSR on a specific form of well-being, eudaimonic well-being, that concerns meaningfulness and flourishing in life, and are particularly salient outcomes among caregivers. Qualitative interviews will be conducted to probe more deeply into caregivers’ experience of eudaimonic well-being and of mindfulness and sleep. Results of this study will advance the science of mindfulness for caregiver stress by: Enhancing our theoretical understanding of the role mindfulness training plays in promoting positive caregiver outcomes, providing a foundation for future research examining effects of mindfulness training on dyadic caregiver-recipient outcomes, and promoting a young investigator whose career will focus on the contemplative sciences.

Tarah Raldiris, PhD

Flagler College, Florida

Grantee

Tarah Raldiris earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University in 2011. In 2014, she completed her master’s degree in applied … MORE