Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of Participants (N = 42)
| Variable | Description | PT (n = 21), n (%) | ERC (n = 21), n (%) |
| Caregiver age (years) | <50 | 6 (29) | 12 (57) |
| >50 | 15 (71) | 9 (43) | |
| Gender | Female | 18 (86) | 20 (95) |
| Male | 3 (14) | 1 (5) | |
| Tribal affiliation | Salish | 13 (62) | 12 (57) |
| Non-Salish | 8 (38) | 9 (43) | |
| Residence | Rural | 10 (48) | 10 (48) |
| Urban | 11 (52) | 11 (52) | |
| Education | Up to high school | 6 (28) | 6 (28) |
| Up to baccalaureate | 13 (62) | 13 (62) | |
| Postbaccalaureate | 1 (5) | 2 (10) | |
| Missing | 1 (5) | 0 | |
| Relationship to care recipient | Daughtera | 13 (62) | 9 (43) |
| Wife | 3 (14) | 1 (5) | |
| Son | 3 (14) | 0 | |
| Niece | 0 | 3 (14) | |
| Sister | 0 | 2 (10) | |
| Cousin | 1 (5) | 1 (5) | |
| Other | 1 (5) | 5 (24) | |
| Care recipient’s age (years)b | <50 | 3 (14) | 1 (5) |
| 50–69 | 5 (24) | 9 (43) | |
| >70 | 13 (62) | 11 (53) | |
| Duration of care (months)c | 6–36 | 15 (71) | 11 (52) |
| 37–60 | 2 (10) | 5 (24) | |
| >60 | 4 (19) | 5 (24) | |
| History of trauma | No | 2 (10) | 3 (14) |
| Yes | 19 (90) | 17 (81) | |
| Missing | 0 | 1 (5) | |
| Type of traumad | Accident | 13 | 12 |
| Interpersonal | 17 | 14 | |
| Natural disaster | 9 | 4 | |
| Traditional medicine or CAM used | Acupuncture | 10 | 14 |
| Hands-on healing | 14 | 11 | |
| Ceremonial | 12 | 9 | |
| Energy healing | 7 | 3 | |
| Herbal medicine | 13 | 10 | |
| Other | 1 | 4 | |
| None | 1 | 1 |
Notes: CAM = complementary and alternative medicine; ERC = enhanced respite control; PT = polarity therapy.
a
One participant was caring for both her mother and her spouse.
b
Five participants were taking care of more than one family member.
c
One participant reported two different “duration of care” times for two family members.
d
Participants may report more than one type or use.