Caregiver burden: historical development.
Within the last decade there has been a multitude of research related to the phenomenon of caregiver burden. Although the concept is relatively new in the literature, the responsibility and ultimately consequences of caring for another family member has existed for centuries. Often this responsibility lies with the female members of the family, but lately more husbands, sons, close family members, or friends have assumed the primary caregiver role. This article reviews the concept of caregiver burden from a historical perspective. Research related to the definition of the concept and its impact on women, men, and siblings and the effect of ethnicity, is discussed.
Hoffmann
R L
RL
School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Mitchell
A M
AM
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000266:history*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014481:United States