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Mage S, Benton D, Gonzalez A, Zaragoza G, Wilber K, Tucker-Seeley R, Meyer K. "I Lay Awake at Night": Latino Family Caregivers' Experiences Covering Out-of-Pocket Costs When Caring for Someone Living With Dementia. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnad011. [PMID: 36786288 PMCID: PMC10733120 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The financial burden of caregiving has received less research attention than physical and emotional costs. This is especially true for underserved ethnic minorities. Financial strain affects mental and physical health and is unequally distributed across caregivers of different races and ethnicities. Although caregivers overall spend, on average, one quarter of their income on caregiving, Latino caregivers, the focus of this study, spend nearly half. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS To better understand this disparity, we conducted 11 qualitative interviews with 14 Latino caregivers of persons living with dementia located in either California or Texas. Interview transcripts were thematically coded, guided by a material-psychosocial-behavioral conceptual model of financial strain. RESULTS We identified 3 themes: daily needs and costs, psychological distress caused by financial issues, and stressful barriers to accessing family and societal support. Furthermore, interviews revealed how Latino culture may influence spending patterns and management of costs. Findings suggest that preference by Latino families to care for a family member in the home may be met with a financial disadvantage due to the high out-of-pocket costs of care. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS A better understanding of the factors contributing to high costs for Latino caregivers and how these costs affect caregivers will inform approaches at both the individual and policy levels and develop culturally relevant interventions to help Latino families to lower caregiving costs. This is especially important as the number of Latinos living with dementia is expected to increase over the next 4 decades and effective interventions are lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Mage
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Donna Benton
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexander Gonzalez
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Kate Wilber
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Reginald Tucker-Seeley
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- ZERO—The End of Prostate Cancer, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | - Kylie Meyer
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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2
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Van Houtven CH, Miller KEM, James HJ, Blunt R, Zhang W, Mariani AC, Rose S, Alolod GP, Wilson-Genderson M, Smith VA, Thomson MD, Siminoff LA. Economic costs of family caregiving for persons with advanced stage cancer: a longitudinal cohort study. J Cancer Surviv 2023:10.1007/s11764-023-01462-6. [PMID: 37823982 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01462-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To form a multifaceted picture of family caregiver economic costs in advanced cancer. METHODS A multi-site cohort study collected prospective longitudinal data from caregivers of patients with advanced solid tumor cancers. Caregiver survey and out-of-pocket (OOP) receipt data were collected biweekly in-person for up to 24 weeks. Economic cost measures attributed to caregiving were as follows: amount of OOP costs, debt accrual, perceived economic situation, and working for pay. Descriptive analysis illustrates economic outcomes over time. Generalized linear mixed effects models asses the association of objective burden and economic outcomes, controlling for subjective burden and other factors. Objective burden is number of activities and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) tasks, all caregiving tasks, and amount of time spent caregiving over 24 h. RESULTS One hundred ninety-eight caregivers, 41% identifying as Black, were followed for a mean period of 16 weeks. Median 2-week out-of-pocket costs were $111. One-third of caregivers incurred debt to care for the patient and 24% reported being in an adverse economic situation. Whereas 49.5% reported working at study visit 1, 28.6% of caregivers at the last study visit reported working. In adjusted analysis, a higher number of caregiving tasks overall and ADL/IADL tasks specifically were associated with lower out-of-pocket expenses, a lower likelihood of working, and a higher likelihood of incurring debt and reporting an adverse economic situation. CONCLUSIONS Most caregivers of cancer patients with advanced stage disease experienced direct and indirect economic costs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Results support the need to find solutions to lessen economic costs for caregivers of persons with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Harold Van Houtven
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA.
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Katherine E M Miller
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Hailey J James
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Ryan Blunt
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, USA
| | - Wenhan Zhang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Abigail Cadua Mariani
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 830 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Sydney Rose
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, USA
| | - Gerard P Alolod
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, USA
| | - Maureen Wilson-Genderson
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, USA
| | - Valerie A Smith
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Maria D Thomson
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 830 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Laura A Siminoff
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University, 1700 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, USA
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Boone ER, Tai H, Raich A, Vatsavai A, Qin A, Thompson K, Johri M, Hu R, Golla V, Harris-Gersten M. Financial Health of People Living With Dementia and Their Informal Care Partners: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e47255. [PMID: 37432718 PMCID: PMC10369306 DOI: 10.2196/47255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing body of academic literature focusing on the significant financial burdens placed on people living with cancer, but little evidence exists on the impact of rising costs of care in other vulnerable populations. This financial strain, also known as financial toxicity, can impact behavioral, psychosocial, and material domains of life for people diagnosed with chronic conditions and their care partners. New evidence suggests that populations experiencing health disparities, including those with dementia, face limited access to health care, employment discrimination, income inequality, higher burdens of disease, and exacerbating financial toxicity. OBJECTIVE The three study aims are to (1) adapt a survey to capture financial toxicity in people living with dementia and their care partners; (2) characterize the degree and magnitude of different components of financial toxicity in this population; and (3) empower the voice of this population through imagery and critical reflection on their perceptions and experiences relating to financial toxicity. METHODS This study uses a mixed methods approach to comprehensively characterize financial toxicity among people living with dementia and their care partners. To address aim 1, we will adapt elements from previously validated and reliable instruments, including the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, to develop a financial toxicity survey specific to dyads of people living with dementia and their care partners. A total of 100 dyads will complete the survey, and data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models to address aim 2. Aim 3 will be addressed using the process of "photovoice," which is a qualitative, participatory research method that combines photography, verbal narratives, and critical reflection by groups of individuals to capture aspects of their environment and experiences with a certain topic. Quantitative results and qualitative findings will be integrated using a validated, joint display table mixed methods approach called the pillar integration process. RESULTS This study is ongoing, with quantitative findings and qualitative results anticipated by December 2023. Integrated findings will enhance the understanding of financial toxicity in individuals living with dementia and their care partners by providing a comprehensive baseline assessment. CONCLUSIONS As one of the first studies on financial toxicity related to dementia care, findings from our mixed methods approach will support the development of new strategies for improving the costs of care. While this work focuses on those living with dementia, this protocol could be replicated for people living with other diseases and serve as a blueprint for future research efforts in this space. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/47255.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Robert Boone
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Durham, NC, United States
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Heiley Tai
- Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ali Raich
- Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Amulya Vatsavai
- Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Annie Qin
- Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kayla Thompson
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Mohini Johri
- Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ruitian Hu
- Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Vishnukamal Golla
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Melissa Harris-Gersten
- Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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Darabos K, Faust H. Assessing health, psychological distress and financial well-being in informal young adult caregivers compared to matched young adult non-caregivers. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2023; 28:2249-2260. [PMID: 36976715 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2023.2195671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Young adult caregivers (YACs) are faced with the atypical challenge of providing informal (i.e. not paid) care to a family member, while simultaneously at a critical developmental stage in which many major life decisions and milestones are taking place. Adding the challenge of caring for a family member during this already complex time period may have a detrimental impact on young adults' (YAs) own overall health and well-being. The aim of this study was to examine differences in overall health, psychological distress, and financial strain among a propensity matched sample of YACs compared to young adult non-caregivers (YANCs) from a nationally representative database and to examine differences in these outcomes by caregiving role (caring for a child vs. other family member). YAs (aged 18-39, N = 178) identifying as a caregiver (n = 74) were matched with YANCs (n = 74) on age, gender, and race. Results revealed that YACs exhibited higher psychological distress, lower overall health and more sleep disturbance and higher financial strain compared to YANCs. YAs caring for family members other than children also reported higher anxiety and fewer hours spent caregiving compared to YAs caring for a child. YACs appear to be at risk for impairments in health and well-being compared to their matched peers. Longitudinal research is needed to understand how caregiving during young adulthood impacts health and well-being across time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Darabos
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Haley Faust
- Department of Behavioral Oncology Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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McCarthy MJ, Garcia YE, Remiker M, Hustead MLR, Bacon R, Williamson HJ, Dunn DJ, Baldwin JA. Diverse rural caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias: analysis of health factors at the individual, interpersonal, and community level. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:94-100. [PMID: 35098811 PMCID: PMC9339023 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2026880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Approximately 6.2 million Americans aged 65 or older have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD). Unpaid family members and friends provide the bulk of caregiving for these individuals. Caregiving in rural areas adds unique challenges, particularly for ethnically/racially diverse caregivers. This study provides a profile of diverse, rural ADRD caregivers with an emphasis on multi-level factors that influence physical and mental health.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 156 diverse rural ADRD caregivers.Results: 65% of participants identified as White/Non-Hispanic (WNH; n = 101) and 35% identified as ethnically/racially diverse (ERD; n = 55). The majority of participants reported economic deprivation. More ERD caregivers were uninsured and had at least one chronic health condition. Higher proportions of ERD caregivers smoked cigarettes, consumed alcohol regularly, and had not seen or talked to a doctor in the previous year. There were no ethnic/racial group differences in stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, subjective health, or sleep quality.Conclusion: Rural caregivers, regardless of ethnicity/race, may benefit from extra supports in order to maintain optimal health. Further research is needed to disentangle the complex relationship between culture, caregiving, and health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Y. Evie Garcia
- Department of Educational Psychology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | - Mark Remiker
- Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | | | - Rachel Bacon
- Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | | | - Dorothy J. Dunn
- School of Nursing, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
| | - Julie A. Baldwin
- Center for Health Equity Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
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Liu C, Zhang L, Ahmed F, Shahid M, Wang X, Wang Y, Wang J, Guo J. Family Care, Economic Stress, and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Adults During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Difference by Urban and Rural Areas. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:700493. [PMID: 34366929 PMCID: PMC8335154 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.700493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although several studies have shown an association of family care with a high level of depressive symptoms, the relationship between them remains indistinguishable. Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between family care, economic stress, and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults in urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Based on cross-sectional data collected through online surveys from February 1st to 10th 2020 in China the present study recruited 2,858 adults. It used multiple linear regression to examine the association between family care and depressive symptoms, while economic stress was examined as moderators on the above relationship. Results: The results showed that caring for both the elderly and children was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms compared with non-caregivers (B = 2.584, 95%CI: 1.254, 3.915), and a similar result was also found in urban areas. Also, caring for the elderly only was also had a higher level of depressive symptoms than non-caregivers in rural areas (B = 3.135, 95%CI: 0.745, 5.525). Meeting the care needs was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms compared with unmet care needs, while for rural caregivers, the results were not significant. Besides, economic stress strengthened the effect of family care needs on depressive symptoms for sandwich-generation caregivers who provide care to both the elderly and children (B = 0.605, 95%CI: 0.077, 1.134). While in rural areas, the moderation effects of economic stress were only found for elderly caregivers (B = 1.106, 95%CI: 0.178, 2.035). Conclusion: These findings suggest that we should pay more attention to the family caregiver's mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, more effective policies should be developed to provide financial support for family caregivers, especially for sandwich-generation caregivers and rural elderly caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengbin Liu
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liyuan Zhang
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Farooq Ahmed
- Nutritional Anthropologist, Department of Anthropology, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.,Former Research Associate University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | - Xiaohua Wang
- School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiqing Wang
- School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Junlan Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Miller VJ, Killian MO, Fields N. Caregiver identity theory and predictors of burden and depression: Findings from the REACH II study. Aging Ment Health 2020; 24:212-220. [PMID: 30588825 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1533522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To examine the relationship between care recipient (person with Alzheimer's disease) ability to perform daily tasks and caregivers' (CG) perceived burden and depression, guided by the caregiver identity theory. We also examine the mediating effect of CG abilities to meet their basic needs.Methods: This study utilizes the baseline data of the REACH II study. Spearman's rho (ρ) was used to test for relationships between burden, reported depression, and each ADLs and IADLs. To further explore the relationship between burden and each ADLs and IADLs, structural equation modeling was conducted using Mplus 8.0.Results: Reported CG total scores indicated increased perceived CG burden with greater number of assisted daily activities. CG depression scores were significantly predicted by reported burden scores and caregiver's ability to pay for basic needs. Importantly, 34.6% of variation in CG reported depressions scores were explained by reported burden scores. A multivariate regression model with reported burden scores, controlling for caregiver's ability to pay for basic needs, explained 36.6% of the variance in CG depression scores. Burden scores and CG ability to pay for basic needs significantly predicted depression scores. Results from the three models indicated that CG burden fully mediated the relationship between daily living skill scores and CG depression.Conclusion: Our study findings suggest the need to more closely examine the link between AD caregiving, financial instability, and mental health and bolster support for policies and programs that offer tangible supports and services to offset the costs of informal AD CG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian J Miller
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Michael O Killian
- College of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Noelle Fields
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
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DiGiacomo M, Chang S, Luckett T, Agar M, Phillips J, Lam L. Financial stress experienced by informal carers of adults with a chronic disease: Results from an Australian population-based cross-sectional survey. Australas J Ageing 2019; 39:254-262. [PMID: 31680413 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify caregiving characteristics that are associated with financial stress in Australian carers of people with a chronic disease. METHODS Data were collected via the South Australian Health Omnibus, an annual population-based, cross-sectional survey. Individuals who provided care to someone with prevalent chronic conditions were asked about financial stress and caregiving characteristics. RESULTS Of 32.4% (988/3047) who were carers, 13.4% (132/988) experienced financial stress. Adjusting for age and household income, providing more than 20 hours of care per week (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.48-3.86), transport assistance (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.15-3.09) and assistance with household tasks (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.14-3.26) and caring for a person with a mental illness (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.24-3.28) were associated with a significant increase in odds of experiencing financial stress. Caring for a person with cancer (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.30-0.81) or dementia (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21-0.76) was associated with decrease in odds. CONCLUSIONS Financial stress was reported by more than 13% of carers, and factors other than household income were implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle DiGiacomo
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sungwon Chang
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Luckett
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Meera Agar
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, Liverpool Hospital, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Liverpool, NSW, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Phillips
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lawrence Lam
- Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Tung Wah College, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Britton K, Galioto R, Tremont G, Chapman K, Hogue O, Carlson MD, Spitznagel MB. Caregiving for a Companion Animal Compared to a Family Member: Burden and Positive Experiences in Caregivers. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:325. [PMID: 30619903 PMCID: PMC6308119 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Research in human caregiving shows burden is often present in the caregiver and can be reduced by interventions that increase positive perceptions of caregiving. Recent work suggests burden is also present in owners of a seriously ill companion animal. To help determine if findings from the human caregiving literature are likely to generalize to companion animal caregiving, we undertook a comparison of burden and positive aspects of caregiving in these groups. Material and Methods: Caregivers recruited through social media disease support and information groups completed self-report questionnaires of burden and positive aspects of caregiving in an online research protocol. Owners of a seriously ill companion animal (n = 117) and caregivers of a family member with dementia (n = 252) were cross-sectionally compared. Analyses in the full sample were repeated in a subset (n = 75 per group) of caregivers with blindly matched demographic profiles. Results: Burden was elevated in both dementia and companion animal caregiver groups, though higher overall for dementia caregivers (p < 0.001 for full and matched samples). In contrast, greater positive aspects of caregiving were reported by companion animal caregivers (p < 0.001 for full and matched samples). In both groups, positive aspects of caregiving were negatively associated with burden (full sample p < 0.001; matched sample p < 0.05). Exploratory item analyses suggested the two groups show comparable experiences of fearing the future, guilt, and financial strain (p = ns for full and matched sample). Discussion: Although both groups showed elevated burden, companion animal caregivers reported less burden and a more positive appraisal of caregiving. Elements of burden showing similarities across groups provide a foundation for understanding caregiver burden in the companion animal owner. The inverse correlation between positive aspects of caregiving and burden suggests the impact of positive caregiving experiences should be considered in burden interventions, but because companion animal owners already positively appraise caregiving, enhancing positive aspects of caregiving may not offset burden as it does in human caregiving samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karysa Britton
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Rachel Galioto
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Geoffrey Tremont
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Kimberly Chapman
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Olivia Hogue
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | - Mary Beth Spitznagel
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
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