Date

5-20-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Kathleen Andrews

Keywords

dementia caregivers, gratitude, spirituality, resilience, Positive Psychology, TTSC

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Dementia caregiving is associated with high levels of stress, burden, and emotional strain, yet limited research has examined the protective factors that help caregivers adapt and maintain well-being. This quantitative, correlational study investigated the relationship between gratitude, spirituality, and resilience among unpaid dementia caregivers. Guided by positive psychology and the transactional theory of stress and coping, the study focused on whether spirituality moderates the relationship between gratitude and resilience. Unpaid dementia caregivers aged 18 and older were recruited through dementia support groups, and data were collected using three validated instruments: the Gratitude Questionnaire-6, the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and the Brief Resilience Scale. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the moderation model. The findings indicated that gratitude was positively associated with resilience but did not emerge as a statistically significant predictor in the regression model. Spirituality did not demonstrate a significant direct or moderating effect. By shifting the emphasis from burden and burnout to protective factors, this study contributes to the literature on adaptive caregiving and may inform future research and interventions to promote wellbeing among dementia caregivers.

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