Chelsea Liu1, Chanee D Fabius1, Virginia J Howard2, William E Haley3, David L Roth4. 1. Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA. 2. School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. 3. School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, USA. 4. Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
Abstract
Objectives: We aimed to compare incident family caregivers and matched controls on change in social network variables and satisfaction with social activities. Methods: A total of 479 participants from the Caregiving Transitions Study were included in the analysis, 244 (50.9%) of whom began substantial and sustained caregiving between baseline and follow-up interviews. We assessed associations between incident caregiving and change in social network size, change in monthly social contact, and satisfaction with social activities. Results: Incident caregivers reported lower satisfaction with social activities and greater decline in social network size than controls. Among only the caregivers, dementia caregivers reported greater decline in social network size while caregivers who were spouses, experienced higher strain, and provided more hours of care reported lower satisfaction with social activities. Discussion: Social engagement declined more among incident caregivers than controls. Future studies should aim to understand why subgroups of caregivers reported lower social engagement.
Objectives: We aimed to compare incident family caregivers and matched controls on change in social network variables and satisfaction with social activities. Methods: A total of 479 participants from the Caregiving Transitions Study were included in the analysis, 244 (50.9%) of whom began substantial and sustained caregiving between baseline and follow-up interviews. We assessed associations between incident caregiving and change in social network size, change in monthly social contact, and satisfaction with social activities. Results: Incident caregivers reported lower satisfaction with social activities and greater decline in social network size than controls. Among only the caregivers, dementia caregivers reported greater decline in social network size while caregivers who were spouses, experienced higher strain, and provided more hours of care reported lower satisfaction with social activities. Discussion: Social engagement declined more among incident caregivers than controls. Future studies should aim to understand why subgroups of caregivers reported lower social engagement.
Entities:
Keywords:
incident caregiving; social activities; social contact; social network
Authors: Chelsea Liu; Victoria R Marino; Virginia J Howard; William E Haley; David L Roth Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2021-11-09 Impact factor: 3.514