Tal Kochli-Hailovski1, Ibrahim Marai2, Abraham Lorber3, Miri Cohen4. 1. School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. Electronic address: tal.kochli@gmail.com. 2. Cardiology Department, The Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Israel. Electronic address: imarai@poria.health.gov.il. 3. Department of Pediatric Cardiology & Congenital Heart Disease in Adults, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. Electronic address: a_lorber@rambam.health.gov.il. 4. School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. Electronic address: mcohen2@univ.haifa.ac.il.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between intensity of providing regular grandchild care and positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA), heart rate variability (HRV) and somatic symptoms. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 104 individuals (aged 59-82) who provide at least 5 h a week of regular care for their grandchildren. The study model was assessed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Intensity of regular care (mean hours per week: M = 14.8, SD = 11.2) was associated with higher PA and lower NA. Higher perceived role overload, higher NA and lower PA were associated with lower HRV and somatic symptoms. The fit indices indicated a good model fit. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that healthcare professionals should be aware of the positive and negative implications of caring for grandchildren on their older patients, including the increased risk of future morbidity, as indicated by lower HRV.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between intensity of providing regular grandchild care and positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA), heart rate variability (HRV) and somatic symptoms. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 104 individuals (aged 59-82) who provide at least 5 h a week of regular care for their grandchildren. The study model was assessed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Intensity of regular care (mean hours per week: M = 14.8, SD = 11.2) was associated with higher PA and lower NA. Higher perceived role overload, higher NA and lower PA were associated with lower HRV and somatic symptoms. The fit indices indicated a good model fit. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that healthcare professionals should be aware of the positive and negative implications of caring for grandchildren on their older patients, including the increased risk of future morbidity, as indicated by lower HRV.
Authors: Wenran Xia; Jeroen D H van Wijngaarden; Robbert Huijsman; Martina Buljac-Samardžić Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-10-10 Impact factor: 4.614