Title | Elevated depressive symptoms among caregiving grandparents. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2004 |
Authors | Blustein, J, Chan, S, Guanais, FC |
Journal | Health Serv Res |
Volume | 39 |
Issue | 6 Pt 1 |
Pagination | 1671-89 |
Date Published | 2004 Dec |
ISSN Number | 0017-9124 |
Keywords | Child, Data collection, depression, Family, Humans, Intergenerational Relations, Interviews as Topic, Middle Aged, Socioeconomic factors, United States |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To determine whether caregiving grandparents are at an increased risk for depressive symptoms. DATA SOURCE: National sample (n=10,293) of grandparents aged 53-63 years in 1994, and their spouse/partners, who took part in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). STUDY DESIGN: Grandparents were surveyed in 1994 and resurveyed every two years thereafter, through 2000. Over that period, 977 had a grandchild move in or out of their home. These grandparents served as their own controls to assess the impact of having a grandchild in the home. Data Extraction. Depressive symptoms were measured using an abbreviated form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale, scored 1-8, with a score > or =4 associated with depression "caseness". PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: At the time of the 1994 interview, 8.2 percent of grandparents had a grandchild in their home. However, there was substantial variation across demographic groups (e.g., 29.4 percent of single nonwhite grandmothers, but only 2.0 percent of single white grandfathers had a grandchild in residence). The impact of having a grandchild in the home varied by grandparent demographic group, with single grandparents and those without coresident adult children experiencing the greatest probability of elevation in depressive symptoms when a grandchild was in residence. For example, single nonwhite grandmothers experienced an 8 percentage point increase in the probability of having a CES-D score > or =4 when a grandchild was in their home, compared to when a grandchild was not in their home, controlling for changes in health care, income, and household composition over time (95 percent CI=0.1 to 15.0 percentage points). CONCLUSIONS: Grandparents have a greater probability of elevated depressive symptoms when a grandchild is in their home, versus when a grandchild is not in their home. Single women of color bear a disproportionate burden of the depression associated with caring for grandchildren. Since an increasing number of grandparents function as a de facto safety net keeping their grandchildren out of formal foster care, identifying strategies to support the health and well-being of caregiving grandparents is an emerging priority. |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2004.00312.x |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | Depressive Symptoms/Caregivers |
Endnote ID | 14112 |
Alternate Journal | Health Serv Res |
Citation Key | 6933 |
PubMed ID | 15533181 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC1361092 |
Grant List | R03 HS011747 / HS / AHRQ HHS / United States R03 HS11747 / HS / AHRQ HHS / United States |