title: Characteristics and well-being of informal caregivers: Results from a nationally-representative US survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given ongoing concerns about high levels of burden reported among some informal caregivers, the goal of this study was to characterize their sociodemographics, health, and well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using cross-sectional data from a large nationally representative survey in the United States (N = 438,712) we identified adults who provided informal care to friends or family members with a health problem, long-term illness, or disability. Descriptive statistics and propensity matching were used to characterize caregivers and compare their health and social support to sociodemographically-similar adults who were not caregivers. Logistic regression models examined associations between caregiving and respondents' mental health, general health, perceived social support, and sleep problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 111,156 (25.3%) participants reported being caregivers, most of whom reported good mental health (90%) good general health (83%), and adequate social support (77%). After adjusting for respondents' gender, caregivers reported worse mental health than non-caregivers (odds ratio (OR) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.31-1.39 for >15 days poor mental health in the past month) but better general health (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.94-0.98 for fair or poor health). Men caregivers reported somewhat worse overall health than non-caregivers (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.05-1.13) whereas women reported better overall health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although reporting good overall well-being, caregivers remain vulnerable for worse outcomes than non-caregivers. Caregiving is associated with poor mental health, and may have additional impacts on the physical health of caregiving men.
authors.affiliation: Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, USA ranak.trivedi@va.gov.
authors.forename: Ranak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trivedi
authors.affiliation: Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beaver
authors.affiliation: Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Erin D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Bouldin
authors.affiliation: Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Evercita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eugenio
authors.affiliation: Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Zeliadt
authors.affiliation: Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Ann Arbor HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ann-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rosland
authors.affiliation: Northwest HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jackie G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Szarka
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Ann Arbor HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Piette
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D020920:Dyssomnias / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Caregiver; informal caregiving; survey