Abstract

Interviews with 131 older spouse caregivers were conducted, with the FACES El used as a measure of closeness. In a multivariate regression analysis, closeness between caregiver and care receiver was found lo be the most important variable in predict- ing caregiver burden. The variables in this analysis explained 45% of the variance in caregiver burden. Allhough it seldom is addressed in research or intervention literature. this relationship appears central to understanding the process of caregiving.