OBJECTIVE: to compare the physical, mental, and functional health status of grandparents providing extensive care to grandchildren (30+ hours per week or 90+ nights per year) with that of custodial grandparents, noncaregivers, and two categories of less intensive care providers. METHODS: Data on a subsample of 3260 respondents to the National Survey of Families and Households who reported being grandparents during the 1992 to 1994 interviews were analyzed. Chi-square tests, 1-way ANOVAs, and multiple regression analyses compared self-reported functional health limitations, depressive symptoms, and change in self-reported health status and depression for extensive caregivers (223), custodial grandparents (173), and 3 other types of grandparents providing less or no child care. RESULTS: Extensive caregivers had levels of depressive symptoms comparable to those of custodial caregivers and significantly higher than those of noncaregivers and less intense care providers. One in 5 extensive caregivers had clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms. Two out of every 5 extensive caregivers had at least 1 limitation in activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Providing extensive care for a grandchild was associated with elevated levels of depression. Physicians should be alert to family role changes and symptoms of depression in their older patients.
OBJECTIVE: to compare the physical, mental, and functional health status of grandparents providing extensive care to grandchildren (30+ hours per week or 90+ nights per year) with that of custodial grandparents, noncaregivers, and two categories of less intensive care providers. METHODS: Data on a subsample of 3260 respondents to the National Survey of Families and Households who reported being grandparents during the 1992 to 1994 interviews were analyzed. Chi-square tests, 1-way ANOVAs, and multiple regression analyses compared self-reported functional health limitations, depressive symptoms, and change in self-reported health status and depression for extensive caregivers (223), custodial grandparents (173), and 3 other types of grandparents providing less or no child care. RESULTS: Extensive caregivers had levels of depressive symptoms comparable to those of custodial caregivers and significantly higher than those of noncaregivers and less intense care providers. One in 5 extensive caregivers had clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms. Two out of every 5 extensive caregivers had at least 1 limitation in activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: Providing extensive care for a grandchild was associated with elevated levels of depression. Physicians should be alert to family role changes and symptoms of depression in their older patients.
Authors: Jacquelyn Y Taylor; Olivia G M Washington; Nancy T Artinian; Peter Lichtenberg Journal: Issues Ment Health Nurs Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 1.835
Authors: Emily M Grundy; Cecilia Albala; Elizabeth Allen; Alan D Dangour; Diana Elbourne; Ricardo Uauy Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2012-06-12 Impact factor: 3.658