André Hajek1, Hans-Helmut König2. 1. Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: a.hajek@uke.de. 2. Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether informal caregiving affects subjective well-being (SWB) of the caregivers in the long run. METHODS: The German Ageing Survey (DEAS) is a nationwide, representative longitudinal study of community-dwelling individuals living in Germany aged 40 and older. The surveys in 2002, 2008, and 2011 were used (11,264 observations). Several components of SWB were used, covering functional and mental health, and affective (positive affect and negative affect) as well as cognitive well-being. Although functional health was quantified by the subscale "physical functioning" of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), mental health was assessed by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Life satisfaction (cognitive well-being) was quantified by using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and positive and negative affect (affective well-being) was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). RESULTS: Longitudinal regressions revealed that informal care affected (1) mental health in the total sample and in both sexes as well as (2) cognitive well-being in women. The effect of informal care on mental health was significantly moderated by self-efficacy in the total sample. CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasize the role of informal caregiving for mental health and cognitive well-being (women). Moreover, our findings highlight the role of self-efficacy in the relation between informal care and mental health. Thus, to prevent declines in mental health due to informal care, it might be a fruitful approach to strengthen self-efficacy.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether informal caregiving affects subjective well-being (SWB) of the caregivers in the long run. METHODS: The German Ageing Survey (DEAS) is a nationwide, representative longitudinal study of community-dwelling individuals living in Germany aged 40 and older. The surveys in 2002, 2008, and 2011 were used (11,264 observations). Several components of SWB were used, covering functional and mental health, and affective (positive affect and negative affect) as well as cognitive well-being. Although functional health was quantified by the subscale "physical functioning" of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), mental health was assessed by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Life satisfaction (cognitive well-being) was quantified by using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and positive and negative affect (affective well-being) was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). RESULTS: Longitudinal regressions revealed that informal care affected (1) mental health in the total sample and in both sexes as well as (2) cognitive well-being in women. The effect of informal care on mental health was significantly moderated by self-efficacy in the total sample. CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasize the role of informal caregiving for mental health and cognitive well-being (women). Moreover, our findings highlight the role of self-efficacy in the relation between informal care and mental health. Thus, to prevent declines in mental health due to informal care, it might be a fruitful approach to strengthen self-efficacy.
Authors: André Hajek; Thomas Lehnert; Annemarie Wegener; Steffi G Riedel-Heller; Hans-Helmut König Journal: Z Gerontol Geriatr Date: 2017-01-26 Impact factor: 1.281
Authors: Jo-Ana D Chase; David Russell; Meridith Rice; Carmen Abbott; Kathryn H Bowles; David R Mehr Journal: Res Gerontol Nurs Date: 2019-03-25 Impact factor: 1.571
Authors: Martina Luchetti; Antonio Terracciano; Yannick Stephan; Damaris Aschwanden; Angelina R Sutin Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2020-04-29 Impact factor: 3.514
Authors: André Hajek; Christian Brettschneider; Tina Mallon; Annette Ernst; Silke Mamone; Birgitt Wiese; Siegfried Weyerer; Jochen Werle; Michael Pentzek; Angela Fuchs; Janine Stein; Tobias Luck; Horst Bickel; Dagmar Weeg; Michael Wagner; Kathrin Heser; Wolfgang Maier; Martin Scherer; Steffi G Riedel-Heller; Hans-Helmut König Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2017-07-14 Impact factor: 3.186
Authors: Fiona E Matthews; Holly Bennett; Raphael Wittenberg; Carol Jagger; Tom Dening; Carol Brayne Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-09-02 Impact factor: 3.240