Understanding allostatic load and the physiological impact of chronic stress in family caregivers: a scoping review
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Family caregivers experience higher allostatic load (AL), a measure of chronic stress burden, compared to non-caregivers. This elevated AL is linked to increased risk of future illness and disability.
Area Of Science
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Psychoneuroimmunology
Background
- Family caregiving for individuals with chronic illness is a significant source of chronic stress.
- The cumulative biological burden of chronic stress, known as allostatic load (AL), is a critical factor in caregiver health.
- Existing literature on AL in family caregivers of adults with chronic illness requires comprehensive examination.
Purpose Of The Study
- To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on allostatic load (AL) in family caregivers of adults with chronic illness.
- To examine the extent and nature of research linking family caregiving to biological markers of chronic stress.
- To synthesize current understanding of the relationship between caregiving demands and allostatic load.
Main Methods
- A scoping review guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist.
- Literature search across CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, and MEDLINE (2007-2025).
- Inclusion of peer-reviewed studies measuring biological indicators of allostatic load in family caregivers of adults with chronic illness.
Main Results
- Ten articles met the eligibility criteria for the review.
- Family caregivers exhibited significantly higher allostatic load (AL) compared to non-caregivers.
- Caregiver burden, subjective stress, and elevated AL were frequently associated in the studies.
Conclusions
- Family caregiving is demonstrably linked to allostatic overload and adverse long-term health outcomes.
- Elevated AL in caregivers suggests an increased likelihood of future illness and disability.
- Further research is necessary to elucidate longitudinal changes in AL throughout and following caregiving periods.
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