Aging fathers of adult children with schizophrenia: the toll of caregiving on their mental and physical health.
OBJECTIVE
The primary purpose of this study was to compare the physical and psychological well-being of caregiving fathers of an adult son or daughter with schizophrenia with a comparison group of fathers who do not have children with schizophrenia.


METHODS
Data for the caregiving fathers (N=95) were drawn from a study of families of adults with schizophrenia; the comparison group of fathers (N=95) was drawn from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS). Samples were matched on sociodemographic variables and analyzed with independent-samples t tests.


RESULTS
Fathers of adults with schizophrenia experienced higher levels of depression, poorer perceived health, lower levels of psychological well-being, and less marital satisfaction compared with their age-matched peers in the WLS.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found hidden personal costs of caregiving among fathers of adults with schizophrenia; strategies are needed for supporting these fathers.
Ghosh
Subharati
S
Waisman Center and the School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1350 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706, USA. sghosh1@wisc.edu
Greenberg
Jan
J
D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014922:Wisconsin