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The health of older family caregivers – a 6-year follow-up
- Authors:
- WRANKER Lena Sandin, ELMSTAHL Solve, CECILIA Fagerstrom
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 64(2), 2021, pp.190-207.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
It is unclear whether caregiving has an impact on the physical, mental and functional health of older caregivers. This study aimed to describe physical, mental and functional health in relation to family caregiving in old age (60+) over a six-year period. The study comprised 2,294 randomly selected individuals (60–96 years) from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, who answered the question on whether they were caregivers and who were followed up six years later. The prevalence of family caregivers was 13.1% and the incidence was 12.4%. Four tracks (T) were identified; T1) Family caregiver both at baseline and follow-up (n = 74), T2) Family caregiver at baseline but not at follow-up (n = 226), T3) non-caregiver at baseline but family caregiver at follow-up (n = 218), T4) non-caregiver both at baseline and follow-up (1,776). Only non-caregivers (T4) reported a decline in mental health, p < .036. Worries about health increased significantly in T2 and T4. The prevalence of caregivers was 13.1% with a high turnover. There are differences between family caregivers and non-caregivers in deterioration in physical and mental health as well as physical function over a six-year period. (Edited publisher abstract)
The mediating role of sense of coherence on mental health outcomes in carers of older dependent relatives: a longitudinal study
- Authors:
- LOPEZ-MARTINEZ Catalina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36(5), 2021, pp.722-730.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Sense of coherence (SOC) is an important protective factor for carer well‐being but research to date remains cross‐sectional, focusing primarily on the direct effects of SOC on carers' mental health. The study's aim was to investigate the mediating role of SOC in the longitudinal relationship between caregiver strain and carers' psychological health, and its stability over time. Methods: Prospective longitudinal study conducted in Jaén (Spain) with a probabilistic sample of 132 carers of older people, with data collected at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up. We measured SOC, caregiver strain, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and several care‐recipient characteristics and intensity of care provided. We used multiple linear regression modelling and the Sobel test to analyse mediation effects. Results: SOC was significantly negatively longitudinally associated with both anxiety (β = −0.38, p = 0.001) and depressive symptoms (β = −0.28, p = 0.023), after controlling for several confounders. SOC mediated both the relationship between caregiver strain and anxiety, and caregiver strain and depressive symptoms (Sobel test: p < 0.001 for anxiety and p < 0.001 for depressive symptoms). Differences between baseline and 1‐year follow‐up SOC scores were not statistically significant (p = 0.617). Conclusions: SOC appears to buffer the impact of caregiver strain on symptoms of depression and anxiety in informal carers of older people. Our data showed that SOC is an important psychological resource for carers that remained relatively stable under non‐experimental conditions over a period of 1 year in this sample. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening SOC may protect carer psychological well‐being. (Edited publisher abstract)
Reaping caregiver feelings of gain: the roles of socio-emotional support and mastery
- Authors:
- SHIRAI Yumi Shirai, KOERNER Susan Silverberg, KENYON DenYelle Baete
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(1), January 2009, pp.106-117.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Existing studies indicate that the presence of social support increases the likelihood of caregivers experiencing feelings of gain from caregiving; however, researchers have not yet investigated the mechanism through which social support is linked to caregiver feelings of gain. Informed by Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, the present study investigated whether a sense of caregiving mastery serves as a key mechanism. Sixty-three family caregivers of dependent elders completed surveys to assess caregiver feelings of gain, socio-emotional support (from family, friends, spouse/partner) and mastery. To evaluate the hypothesized mediation model, a series of structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were conducted with the maximum likelihood method by Lisrel 8.8. Socio-emotional support from family members was found to be an important resource for caregiver feelings of gain. SEM analyses further revealed that the mechanisms by which socio-emotional support influences caregiver feelings of gain vary depending on its source (i.e. family members, friends, and partners). As hypothesized, caregiving mastery played a mediating role for non-partner family socio-emotional support whereas it did not for partner socio-emotional support. Based on availability or absence of specific sources of support, caregiver intervention programs should be individually tailored to enhance their potential impact.
Prevalence and psychological impact of Chinese elder abuse
- Authors:
- YAN Elsie, TANG Catherine So-kum
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(11), November 2001, pp.1158-1174.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study examined the prevalence of elder abuse of Chinese in Hong Kong and also assessed its impact on their psychological functioning. Elderly Chinese residing in Hong Kong responded to a questionnaire administered individually. Results indicated prevalence rates of 2% for physical abuse and 20.8% for verbal abuse. These rates were higher than those reported by a telephone survey of similar respondents. Rates did not differ significantly for men and women. Data from the General Health Questionnaire showed that abused elders, as compared with non abused elders, scored significantly more dependent on their caregivers than non abused participants. This difference did not, however, predict the level of psychological distress after accounting for physical abuse and verbal abuse.
Living with and caring for older family members: issues related to caregiver well-being
- Authors:
- BERG-WEGER Marla, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(2), 2000, pp.47-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Using the strengths-based Caregiver Well-being Scale, this American research provides social workers with strategies for assessing and promoting caregiver well-being. One hundred eighteen family caregivers were used to examine caregiver relationship to the care-recipient and 138 caregivers are included in the analyses for co-residential arrangement with the care-recipient. Predictors of well-being were highlighted for each group. Care-giver competence and depression predict well-being is the only predictor for co-resident caregivers. Implications for social work practice with family caregivers are highlighted.
The crisis facing older people living with neurodiversity and their aging family carers: a social work perspective
- Authors:
- BROTMAN Shari, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, early cite 26 April 2021,
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This commentary addresses barriers to care among older adults living with neurodiversity (ND), and their aging family carers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Factors contributing to inequities are described and the significant negative consequences of current policy decisions on the social and mental health of older adults with ND and their aging family carers are highlighted. The commentary calls for a collective social work response that highlights the critical role of support and advocacy necessary to redress social exclusion. (Edited publisher abstract)
Caring as a social determinant of health: findings from a rapid review of reviews and analysis of the GP Patient Survey: report and key findings
- Authors:
- SPIERS Gemma, et al
- Publisher:
- Public Health England
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 49
- Place of publication:
- London
This report explores the consequences of being an unpaid carer of older people, and identifies evidence about how best to support this group of carers. To address these aims, a rapid review of existing evidence reviews (an ‘umbrella review’) was conducted, alongside analysis of data on carers (for any population) from the NHS England GP Patient Survey. The main findings are: there is mounting evidence that unpaid caring should be considered a social determinant of health; carers experience poor physical and mental health but also have unmet care needs themselves; different groups of carers may have different support needs; a lack of clear and robust evidence about how best to support people caring for older populations, and gaps in evidence on key outcomes. This report proposes a logic model as a tool for evaluating the impact of carer interventions. It also includes ‘access enablers’ as important in ensuring that carers are connected with relevant services and interventions on offer. Social prescribing is one of these enablers. (Edited publisher abstract)
The effect of paid leave laws on family caregivers for the elderly
- Authors:
- GIMM Gilbert, YANG Y. Tony
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 41(2), 2016, pp.214-226.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
The purpose of this study was to determine if the introduction of a 2002 paid leave law in California had effects on the mental or physical health of family caregivers. In addition, the multivariate analysis focused on the role of marital status and family supports on caregiver health outcomes. The U.S. is considered to have the least generous paid leave laws compared to Canada, Japan, and other European OECD nations. Using nationally representative panel data from eight waves of the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), we used a differences-in-differences approach to examine the empirical effects of a policy change. The authors did not find effects on caregiver mental or physical health as a result of California’s Family Rights Act. However, being married (−0.459, p < .001) and having a living brother (−0.216, p < .01) were both significantly associated with improved mental health. Although the multivariate analysis did not show that California’s paid leave law had effects on health outcomes, it revealed the critical role of family support on caregiver mental health. (Edited publisher abstract)
Differential impact of multiple levels of productive activity engagement on psychological well-being in middle and later life
- Authors:
- MATZ-COSTA Christina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 54(2), 2014, pp.277-289.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose: This study tested the effect of multiple levels of engagement in the productive roles of paid work, volunteering, and caregiving on midlife and older adults’ psychological well-being. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from a sample of 330 adults aged 50 and older (largely white, women, and educated), a treatment effects model was employed to test the impact of four levels of engagement (not involved and low, medium, and high engagement) on psychological well-being. Results: Those involved in work or volunteer activities who were high in engagement reported greater psychological well-being than those who were not involved, whereas those who were low or medium in engagement reported lower well-being than those not involved. A different pattern emerged for caregiving; midlevels of engagement were associated with higher well-being compared with the noninvolved, whereas low and high levels of engagement were associated with lower well-being. Implications: Findings suggest that one’s experience of an activity plays an important role in the extent to which involvement is associated with positive outcomes. Recommendations for enhancing role quality to promote psychological well-being in middle and later life are discussed. (Publisher abstract)
The role of violated caregiver preferences in psychological well-being when older mothers need assistance
- Authors:
- SUITOR J. Jill, GILLIGAN Megan, PILLEMER Karl
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 53(3), 2013, pp.388-396.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article explores whether older mothers’ psychological well-being was affected by the children they preferred as future caregivers and provide assistance at a later point when the mothers experience illness or injury. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 234 older mothers at two points 7 years apart, beginning when the mothers were 65–75 years of age. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that mothers who received assistance from children whom the mothers did not identify as their preferred future caregivers reported higher depressive symptoms at the second wave; receiving care from children identified as preferred caregivers did not affect well-being. Qualitative data suggested that these patterns occurred because the “alternate” caregivers did not possess the socioemotional attributes of preferred children. The findings contribute to a growing body of research demonstrating the consequences of violated preferences, particularly when individuals are in need of support in later life. (Edited publisher abstract)