Caregiver social networks and discontinued support during COVID-19: a multilevel dyadic analysis

Family caregivers provide essential support to older adults, but their extended caregiving networks can be strained during crises. This study examines which characteristics of caregivers' personal networks were associated with discontinued support during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of widespread social disruption.

We analyzed data from the Care Network Connections over Time study, a longitudinal, nationally representative study of U.S. caregivers. Respondents (N = 2,116) reported on support before and during COVID-19. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed associations between discontinued support and network/caregiver characteristics while controlling for clustering within networks.

Support loss occurred among 5.84% of previously supportive network members. Discontinued support was significantly more likely when alters were Hispanic or of "other/multiple" race/ethnicity, aged <18 or >64, or were distant relatives or nonrelatives. Highly connected alters and those providing support to care recipients were less likely to have withdrawn support. At the network level, caregivers with low density, more diverse, or low care-recipient-supporting networks were more vulnerable to support discontinuation.

Results demonstrate how caregiver network composition and connectivity shape social resilience under stress. Caregiving networks that have higher "bonding" social capital-densely interconnected and including close relatives and others who provide support to both caregivers and care recipients-may be more resilient due to strong support coordination and communication. Study insights can inform the development of support intervention strategies for caregivers. Findings suggest that promoting bonding capital in caregiver networks may help protect against the loss of critical support during crises.