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Caregivers of chronic illness, such as Alzheimer´´s disease, are faced with many challenges that result from their multiple roles and responsibilities. The increased caregiving responsibility as it relates to the dual roles of family member and caregiver is heighted as the disease progresses. This study examined the relationship of self-forgiveness and adaptive coping, religious/spiritual practices, social support, decreased grief, and mental well-being for long-term caregivers most of whom cared for a person diagnosed with Alzheimer´´s disease. Self-forgiveness was significantly related to each of the variables. Results of the stepwise regression analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between self-forgiveness and adaptive coping, social support and decreased grief. A discussion of the implications of this research for social work education, policy, practice and research is highlighted.Target Groups:Caregivers, social workers, nurses,physicians, mental health counselors, ministers, program planners for long-term caregivers, hospice workers, gerontologists, and bereavement counselors.

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George A. Jacinto, PhD is an Associate Professor and Director of the MSW Program in the Department of Social Work at Arkansas State University. He has seven peer reviewed articles and six book chapters in print. He has 21 peer reviewed presentations: nine state, seven national, and five international.

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