Abstract
The present study asked whether a brief survey that targets caregivers in the workplace can identify patterns of relationships between a caregiver's strain arising from managing work and direct care activities and either his/her characteristics or the characteristics of the specific caregiving activities performed. The survey contained three sections: demographic information, subjective and objective state of the caregiver, and knowledge and use of caregiving services. As expected, reported strain was found to increase as time devoted to caregiving also increased. Less emotional strain was experienced by caregivers who were aware of referral services offered by the employer and used direct care services available in their communities. Lower strain was exhibited by males and caregivers of increasing age. The findings of the present study, which mostly replicate those of larger-scale studies, support the commonly held belief that knowledge and use of direct care services can be beneficial to caregivers.