title: Social relationships among family caregivers: a cross-cultural comparison between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic White caregivers.
abstract: Sometimes, clinicians assume caregivers in cultural groups believed to have large social networks and strong social support need little intervention from health professionals. This longitudinal study tests five hypotheses about the social relationships of Mexican American compared to non-Hispanic White caregivers and whether negative changes in social support affect perceived health. The sample includes 66 Mexican American and 92 non-Hispanic White caregivers. Findings show that social networks and social support are similar at baseline and similarly stable for 1 year. Negative changes in social support are correlated with poorer health perceptions. Findings underscore the importance of designing interventions that are culturally competent based on what the caregiver is experiencing rather than cultural stereotypes.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Linda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015206:Southwestern United States; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology*