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Health effects of caregiving: the caregiver health effects study: an ancillary study of the Cardiovascular Health Study.

TitleHealth effects of caregiving: the caregiver health effects study: an ancillary study of the Cardiovascular Health Study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsSchulz, R, Newsom, J, Mittelmark, M, Burton, L, Hirsch, C, Jackson, S
JournalAnn Behav Med
Volume19
Issue2
Pagination110-6
Date Published1997 Spring
ISSN0883-6612
KeywordsActivities of Daily Living, Aged, Arousal, Cardiovascular Diseases, Caregivers, Cerebrovascular Disorders, Coronary Disease, Cost of Illness, Female, Geriatric Assessment, Health Behavior, Health Status, Humans, Male, Psychophysiologic Disorders, Risk Factors, Spouses, Stress, Psychological
Abstract<p>We propose that two related sources of variability in studies of caregiving health effects contribute to an inconsistent pattern of findings: the sampling strategy used and the definition of what constitutes caregiving. Samples are often recruited through self-referral and are typically comprised of caregivers experiencing considerable distress. In this study, we examine the health effects of caregiving in large population-based samples of spousal caregivers and controls using a wide array of objective and self-report physical and mental health outcome measures. By applying different definitions of caregiving, we show that the magnitude of health effects attributable to caregiving can vary substantially, with the largest negative health effects observed among caregivers who characterize themselves as being strained. From an epidemiological perspective, our data show that approximately 80% of persons living with a spouse with a disability provide care to their spouse, but only half of care providers report mental or physical strain associated with caregiving.</p>
DOI10.1007/BF02883327
Alternate JournalAnn Behav Med
PubMed ID9603685
Grant ListMH46015 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
MH52247 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC85079-85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States