Details of Research Outputs

Purpose: This poster highlights some recruitment challenges in conducting family caregiving research. Research implications for ethnic minorities are presented. Methods: Data were collected through faceto-face survey interviews with 113 Chinese American caregivers who provided care to their elderly dependent relatives in the San Francisco BayArea.This study used a snowball sample method.An array of recruitment strategies were used to recruit Chinese American caregivers for this study. The methods included referrals through newspaper outlet, memory disorder centers, adult daycare centers, caregiver support groups, senior centers, senior housing apartments, community organizations, and local churches; and referrals by other caregivers. A $20 gift certificate was offered to each participant who completed the questionnaire. Results: Caregivers were referred through the investigator’s network contacts (22.1%), churches (5.3%), social service agencies (15%), caregiver support group (6.2%) and other caregivers (51.3%). Implications: A $20 gift certificate was an effective incentive to recruitment of Chinese family caregivers into this study. Recruitment flyers had been distributed to senior centers, churches, and day care centers. However, only personal contacts with gatekeepers and potential caregivers could effectively facilitate study participation. Successful recruitment required a relationship of trust between members of the Chinese community and the investigator. In working with the Chinese community, the research staff, especially the interviewers, must be fluent in Chinese. Beyond language facility, a familiarly with and understanding of Chinese traditions and behavior is seen as essential to reduce alienation and overcome obstacles to recruitment in the community settings.