Socioeconomic and demographic disparities in caregiving intensity and quality of life in informal caregivers: A first look at the national study of caregiving
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
6-1-2017
Abstract
Informal caregiving is an integral component of the health care system, saving the national economy more than $522 billion annually. The current study examined how the association between caregiving intensity and caregiver quality of life varies by sociodemographic factors through a secondary analysis of the National Study of Caregiving. Generalized linear models assessed the associations among four aspects of caregiving intensity, three aspects of caregiver quality of life, and key sociodemographic factors. Compared to White individuals, Black individuals had higher levels of overall caregiving intensity (β = 0.293, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.140, 0.447]), number of instrumental activities of daily living performed (β = 0.060, 95% CI [0.030, 0.090]), and hours spent caregiving per month (β = 0.025, 95% CI [0.002, 0.049]), yet experienced significantly fewer negative impacts on quality of life. Understanding how informal caregiving affects caregiver quality of life is critical to inform public health policies and programs designed to support caregivers and protect this critical component of the U.S. health care system.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Volume
43
Issue
6
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Cohen, Steven A., Sarah K. Cook, Trisha A. Sando, Monique J. Brown, and Daniel R. Longo. "Socioeconomic and demographic disparities in caregiving intensity and quality of life in informal caregivers: A first look at the national study of caregiving." Journal of Gerontological Nursing 43, 6 (2017): 17-24. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20170224-01.