The relationship between well-being and meaning-making in kinship caregivers. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cavanaugh, Daniel L.; Sutherby, Carolyn G.; Sharda, Elizabeth; Hughes, Anne K.; Woodward, Amanda T.
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 116(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Kinship care -- Foster care -- Meaning-making -- Resilience -- Well-being; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Highlights: The well-being of kinship caregivers is related to their level of meaning-making. Meaning-making and well-being are positively correlated in kinship caregivers. Multivariate analysis showed that confounding factors did not affect this relationship. Further research is needed to better understand how to support kinship caregiver well-being. Abstract: Objective: This exploratory study provides early research to understand the relationship between levels of meaning-making and well-being in kinship caregivers. It is hypothesized that there will be a positive correlation between meaning-making and well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 152 kinship caregivers from four partner organizations across the United States completed a survey that included measures of meaning-making and well-being. The results of this survey were analyzed with bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression to examine the relationship between the two variables. Results: Bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant, moderate, and positive relationship between meaning-making and well-being. Using multivariate linear regression, it was determined that no confounding demographic covariates were responsible for the results. Additionally, no demographic covariates were found to lead to significant differences in caregiver well-being. Conclusions: Future research should be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between meaning-making and well-being in kinship caregivers. Additionally, clinicians may use this as a starting point to integrate discussion of meaning-making into caregiver support groups.