HEALTH-EFFECTS OF CAREGIVING - THE CAREGIVER HEALTH-EFFECTS STUDY - AN ANCILLARY STUDY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH STUDY

We propose that two related sources of variability in studies of careg iving health effects contribute to an inconsistent pattern of findings : the sampling strategy used and the definition of what constitutes ca regiving. Samples are often recruited through self-referral and are ty pically comprised of caregivers experiencing considerable distress. In this study, we examine the health effects of caregiving in large popu lation-based samples of spousal caregivers and controls using a wide a rray of objective and self-report physical and mental health outcome m easures. By applying different definitions of caregiving, we show that the magnitude of health effects attributable to caregiving can vary s ubstantially with the largest negative health effects observed among c aregivers who characterize themselves as being strained. From an epide miological perspective, our data show that approximately 80% of person s living with a spouse with a disability provide care to their spouse, but only half of care providers report mental or physical strain asso ciated with caregiving.