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Caregiving in Late Life: A Life Span Human Development Perspective

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Multidisciplinary Coordinated Caregiving

Part of the book series: Caregiving: Research • Practice • Policy ((CARE))

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Abstract

As a discipline, Human Development embraces a philosophical stance that incorporates bio-psycho-social frameworks to guide the study of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Historically, scholars trained in this integrative, multidisciplinary tradition have relied on theories and models developed in the behavioral and social sciences to inform and advance their work. In this chapter, we present the primary tenets of five theoretical frameworks commonly used by scholars in human development to study family caregiving in late life: (a) life span perspective; (b) life course perspective; (c) stress and coping; (d) exchange theory; and (e) formal service use. We provide examples from the literature illustrating the utility of each of these frameworks for studying the effects of caregiving on spouses, adult children, and other family members providing care for their older relatives. We end the chapter with suggestions for the explicit use of individual and contextual level theories to advance future caregiving research, practice, and policy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Gerontology and the Institute for Society, Culture and Environment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Karen A. Roberto Ph.D.

  2. Department of Human Development, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Shannon E. Jarrott Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Karen A. Roberto Ph.D.
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  2. Shannon E. Jarrott Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Karen A. Roberto Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA

    Ronda C. Talley

  2. College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA

    Shirley S. Travis

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Roberto, K., Jarrott, S. (2014). Caregiving in Late Life: A Life Span Human Development Perspective. In: Talley, R., Travis, S. (eds) Multidisciplinary Coordinated Caregiving. Caregiving: Research • Practice • Policy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8973-3_10

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