Title | Caregiving behavior is associated with decreased mortality risk. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Brown, S, Smith, DM, Schulz, R, Kabeto, MU, Ubel, PA, Poulin, M, Yi, J, Kim, C, Langa, KM |
Journal | Psychol Sci |
Volume | 20 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 488-94 |
Date Published | 2009 Apr |
ISSN Number | 1467-9280 |
Keywords | Altruism, Caregivers, Humans, Mortality |
Abstract | Traditional investigations of caregiving link it to increased caregiver morbidity and mortality, but do not disentangle the effects of providing care from those of being continuously exposed to an ailing loved one with serious health problems. We explored this possible confound in a national, longitudinal survey of elderly married individuals (N= 3,376). Results showed that spending at least 14 hr per week providing care to a spouse predicted decreased mortality for the caregiver, independently of behavioral and cognitive limitations of the care recipient (spouse), and of other demographic and health variables. These findings suggest that it may be premature to conclude that health risks for caregivers are due to providing active help. Indeed, under some circumstances, caregivers may actually benefit from providing care. |
URL | http://pss.sagepub.com/content/20/4/4 |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02323.x |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | Caregivers/Mortality/Risk assessment/Psychology/Older people |
Endnote ID | 25420 |
Alternate Journal | Psychol Sci |
Citation Key | 7303 |
PubMed ID | 19320860 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC2865652 |
Grant List | K01-MH065423 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States K08 AG019180-05 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States K08 AG019180 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States K01 MH065423 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States U01 AG09740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01 AG027010 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01 AG027010-02 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |