Ranak Trivedi1, Kristine Beaver2, Erin D Bouldin2, Evercita Eugenio2, Steven B Zeliadt3, Karin Nelson4, Ann-Marie Rosland5, Jackie G Szarka2, John D Piette5. 1. Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA ranak.trivedi@va.gov. 2. Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA. 3. Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. 4. Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. 5. Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Ann Arbor HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Given ongoing concerns about high levels of burden reported among some informal caregivers, the goal of this study was to characterize their sociodemographics, health, and well-being. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from a large nationally representative survey in the United States (N = 438,712) we identified adults who provided informal care to friends or family members with a health problem, long-term illness, or disability. Descriptive statistics and propensity matching were used to characterize caregivers and compare their health and social support to sociodemographically-similar adults who were not caregivers. Logistic regression models examined associations between caregiving and respondents' mental health, general health, perceived social support, and sleep problems. RESULTS: A total of 111,156 (25.3%) participants reported being caregivers, most of whom reported good mental health (90%) good general health (83%), and adequate social support (77%). After adjusting for respondents' gender, caregivers reported worse mental health than non-caregivers (odds ratio (OR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.31-1.39 for >15 days poor mental health in the past month) but better general health (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.94-0.98 for fair or poor health). Men caregivers reported somewhat worse overall health than non-caregivers (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.05-1.13) whereas women reported better overall health. DISCUSSION: Although reporting good overall well-being, caregivers remain vulnerable for worse outcomes than non-caregivers. Caregiving is associated with poor mental health, and may have additional impacts on the physical health of caregiving men.
OBJECTIVES: Given ongoing concerns about high levels of burden reported among some informal caregivers, the goal of this study was to characterize their sociodemographics, health, and well-being. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from a large nationally representative survey in the United States (N = 438,712) we identified adults who provided informal care to friends or family members with a health problem, long-term illness, or disability. Descriptive statistics and propensity matching were used to characterize caregivers and compare their health and social support to sociodemographically-similar adults who were not caregivers. Logistic regression models examined associations between caregiving and respondents' mental health, general health, perceived social support, and sleep problems. RESULTS: A total of 111,156 (25.3%) participants reported being caregivers, most of whom reported good mental health (90%) good general health (83%), and adequate social support (77%). After adjusting for respondents' gender, caregivers reported worse mental health than non-caregivers (odds ratio (OR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.31-1.39 for >15 days poor mental health in the past month) but better general health (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.94-0.98 for fair or poor health). Men caregivers reported somewhat worse overall health than non-caregivers (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.05-1.13) whereas women reported better overall health. DISCUSSION: Although reporting good overall well-being, caregivers remain vulnerable for worse outcomes than non-caregivers. Caregiving is associated with poor mental health, and may have additional impacts on the physical health of caregiving men.
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