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Caregiving behavior is associated with decreased mortality risk
Stephanie L Brown1, Dylan M Smith, Richard Schulz
1VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. stebrown@med.umich.edu.
Psychological Science
|March 27, 2009
Summary
Caregiving for a spouse, especially over 14 hours weekly, may decrease caregiver mortality. This study suggests active caregiving might benefit health, contrary to traditional views linking caregiving to increased caregiver morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Traditional research often links caregiving to negative health outcomes for caregivers.
- Existing studies may not differentiate between the stress of caregiving and exposure to a spouse's illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of providing care on caregiver mortality.
- To disentangle the effects of active caregiving from the effects of spousal illness.
Main Methods:
- A national, longitudinal survey of 3,376 elderly married individuals.
- Statistical analysis controlling for recipient's health limitations and caregiver demographics.
Main Results:
- Providing at least 14 hours of weekly care to a spouse was associated with decreased caregiver mortality.
- This association remained significant regardless of the care recipient's health status or other variables.
Conclusions:
- Caregiving, specifically active help, may not inherently increase caregiver health risks.
- Under certain conditions, caregiving can be associated with health benefits for the caregiver.
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