Abstract
We propose that two related sources of variability in studies of caregiving health effects contribute to an inconsistent pattern of findings: the sampling strategy used and the definition of what constitutes caregiving. Samples are often recruited through self-referral and are typically comprised of caregivers experiencing considerable distress. In this study, we examine the health effects of caregiving in large population-based samples of spousal caregivers and controls using a wide array of objective and self-report physical and mental health outcome measures. By applying different definitions of caregiving, we show that the magnitude of health effects attributable to caregiving can vary substantially, with the largest negative health effects observed among caregivers who characterize themselves as being strained. From an epidemiological perspective, our data show that approximately 80% of persons living with a spouse with a disability provide care to their spouse, but only half of care providers report mental or physical strain associated with caregiving.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 110-116 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Annals of Behavioral Medicine |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 1997 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Health effects of caregiving : The caregiver health effects study: An ancillary study of the cardiovascular health study. / Schulz, Richard; Newsom, Jason; Mittelmark, Maurice; Burton, Lynda; Hirsch, Cabin; Jackson, Sharon.
In: Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Vol. 19, No. 2, 1997, p. 110-116.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Health effects of caregiving
T2 - The caregiver health effects study: An ancillary study of the cardiovascular health study
AU - Schulz, Richard
AU - Newsom, Jason
AU - Mittelmark, Maurice
AU - Burton, Lynda
AU - Hirsch, Cabin
AU - Jackson, Sharon
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - We propose that two related sources of variability in studies of caregiving health effects contribute to an inconsistent pattern of findings: the sampling strategy used and the definition of what constitutes caregiving. Samples are often recruited through self-referral and are typically comprised of caregivers experiencing considerable distress. In this study, we examine the health effects of caregiving in large population-based samples of spousal caregivers and controls using a wide array of objective and self-report physical and mental health outcome measures. By applying different definitions of caregiving, we show that the magnitude of health effects attributable to caregiving can vary substantially, with the largest negative health effects observed among caregivers who characterize themselves as being strained. From an epidemiological perspective, our data show that approximately 80% of persons living with a spouse with a disability provide care to their spouse, but only half of care providers report mental or physical strain associated with caregiving.
AB - We propose that two related sources of variability in studies of caregiving health effects contribute to an inconsistent pattern of findings: the sampling strategy used and the definition of what constitutes caregiving. Samples are often recruited through self-referral and are typically comprised of caregivers experiencing considerable distress. In this study, we examine the health effects of caregiving in large population-based samples of spousal caregivers and controls using a wide array of objective and self-report physical and mental health outcome measures. By applying different definitions of caregiving, we show that the magnitude of health effects attributable to caregiving can vary substantially, with the largest negative health effects observed among caregivers who characterize themselves as being strained. From an epidemiological perspective, our data show that approximately 80% of persons living with a spouse with a disability provide care to their spouse, but only half of care providers report mental or physical strain associated with caregiving.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 9603685
AN - SCOPUS:0030881001
VL - 19
SP - 110
EP - 116
JO - Annals of Behavioral Medicine
JF - Annals of Behavioral Medicine
SN - 0883-6612
IS - 2
ER -