BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The general view is that partner-caregiver burden increases over time but findings are inconsistent. Moreover, the pathways underlying caregiver burden may differ between men and women. This study examines to what degree and why partner-caregiver burden changes over time. It adopts Pearlin's Caregiver Stress Process Model, as it is expected that higher primary and secondary stressors will increase burden and larger amounts of resources will lower burden. Yet, the impact of stressors and resources may change over time. The wear-and-tear model predicts an increase of burden due to a stronger impact of stressors and lower impact of resources over time. Alternatively, the adaptation model predicts a decrease of burden due to a lower impact of stressors and higher impact of resources over time. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used 2 observations with a 1-year interval of 279 male and 443 female partner-caregivers, derived from the Netherlands Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey Minimum Data Set. We applied multilevel regression analysis, stratified by gender. RESULTS: Adjusted for all predictors, caregiver burden increased over time for both men and women. For female caregivers, the impact of poor spousal health on burden increased and the impact of fulfillment decreased over time. Among male caregivers, the impact of predictors did not change over time. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The increase of burden over time supports the wear-and-tear model, in particular for women. This study highlights the need for gender-specific interventions that are focused on enabling older partners to be better prepared for long-term partner-care.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The general view is that partner-caregiver burden increases over time but findings are inconsistent. Moreover, the pathways underlying caregiver burden may differ between men and women. This study examines to what degree and why partner-caregiver burden changes over time. It adopts Pearlin's Caregiver Stress Process Model, as it is expected that higher primary and secondary stressors will increase burden and larger amounts of resources will lower burden. Yet, the impact of stressors and resources may change over time. The wear-and-tear model predicts an increase of burden due to a stronger impact of stressors and lower impact of resources over time. Alternatively, the adaptation model predicts a decrease of burden due to a lower impact of stressors and higher impact of resources over time. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used 2 observations with a 1-year interval of 279 male and 443 female partner-caregivers, derived from the Netherlands Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey Minimum Data Set. We applied multilevel regression analysis, stratified by gender. RESULTS: Adjusted for all predictors, caregiver burden increased over time for both men and women. For female caregivers, the impact of poor spousal health on burden increased and the impact of fulfillment decreased over time. Among male caregivers, the impact of predictors did not change over time. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The increase of burden over time supports the wear-and-tear model, in particular for women. This study highlights the need for gender-specific interventions that are focused on enabling older partners to be better prepared for long-term partner-care.
Authors: Susanna Rance; Debra Westlake; Heather Brant; Ingrid Holme; Ruth Endacott; Jonathan Pinkney; Richard Byng Journal: Glob Qual Nurs Res Date: 2020-06-18
Authors: Femmy M Bijnsdorp; Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen; Cécile R L Boot; Allard J van der Beek; H Roeline W Pasman Journal: BMC Palliat Care Date: 2022-08-10 Impact factor: 3.113
Authors: Hashem A Kilani; Mo'ath F Bataineh; Ali Al-Nawayseh; Khaled Atiyat; Omar Obeid; Maher M Abu-Hilal; Taiysir Mansi; Maher Al-Kilani; Mahfoodha Al-Kitani; Majed El-Saleh; Ruba M Jaber; Ahmad Sweidan; Mawaheb Himsi; Iyad Yousef; Faten Alzeer; Monther Nasrallah; Ayesha S Al Dhaheri; Abdulsalam Al-Za'abi; Osama Allala; Laila Al-Kilani; Asma M Alhasan; Mohamed Ghieda; Yasir Najah; Saad Alsheekhly; Ahmad Alhaifi; Raghda Shukri; Jamal Al Adwani; Mostafa Waly; Laila Kilani; Leen H Kilani; Ahmad S Al Shareef; Areej Kilani Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-12-14 Impact factor: 3.752