Impact of caregiving on health and quality of life : a comparative population-based study of caregivers for elderly persons and noncaregivers

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Journals of Gerontology. Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences

Publication Date

8-1-2009

Volume

64A

Issue

8

First Page

873

Last Page

879

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of caregiving on the health status and quality of life (QOL) of primary informal caregivers (PCGs) of elderly care recipients in Hong Kong. A total of 246 PCGs and 492 matched noncaregiver (NCG) controls were identified in a population-based cross-sectional study through random telephone dialing. Their health status and QOL were assessed based on structured questionnaires and Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that compared with NCGs, PCGs had significantly increased risks for reporting worse health, more doctor visits, anxiety and depression, and weight loss. Female PCGs were more likely to report chronic diseases, symptoms, and insomnia. PCGs, particularly women, had significantly lower scores in all eight domains of SF-36 Health Survey. High caregiver burden score (Zarit Burden Scale) was positively associated with adverse physical and psychological health and poorer QOL. The results indicate that PCGs, particularly women, had an adverse physical and psychological health profile and poorer QOL compared with NCGs.

DOI

10.1093/gerona/glp034

Print ISSN

10795006

E-ISSN

1758535X

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2009 The Author

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Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Ho, S. C., Chan, A., Woo, J., Chong, P., & Sham, A. (2009). Impact of caregiving on health and quality of life: A comparative population-based study of caregivers for elderly persons and noncaregivers. Journals of Gerontology. Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 64A(8), 873-879. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glp034

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