Negative and positive health effects of caring for a disabled spouse: longitudinal findings from the caregiver health effects study |
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Authors: | Beach S R Schulz R Yee J L Jackson S |
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Affiliation: | University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA. scottb@vms.cis.pitt.edu |
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Abstract: | Data from the first 2 waves of the Caregiver Health Effects Study (n = 680) were analyzed to examine the effects of changes in caregiving involvement on changes in caregiver health-related outcomes in a population-based sample of elders caring for a disabled spouse. Caregiving involvement was indexed by levels of (a) spouse physical impairment, (b) help provided to the spouse, and (c) strain associated with providing help. Health-related outcomes included perceived health, health-risk behaviors, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms. Increases in spouse impairment and caregiver strain were generally related to poorer outcomes over time (poorer perceived health, increased health-risk behaviors, and increased anxiety and depression), whereas increased helping was related to better outcomes (decreased anxiety and depression). Results suggest that caring for a disabled spouse is a complex phenomenon that can have both deleterious and beneficial consequences. |
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