title: Mental health differences between men and women caregivers, BRFSS 2009.
abstract: This study uses data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine differences between male and female caregivers by demographics, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and the effect of social support on HRQOL. Roughly two-thirds of caregivers were women, and demographic characteristics differed among men and women caregivers. Women caregivers reported significantly more mentally and physically unhealthy days than men, but there were no differences between men and women in general health or life satisfaction. Men were significantly more likely to report that they rarely or never received social support. Despite this, the effect of social support on HRQOL was stronger in men than in women. Implications of these findings for caregiver support programs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Healthy Aging Program, Division of Population Health , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: Valerie J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: a Healthy Aging Program, Division of Population Health , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: Lynda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: b Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disability , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: a Healthy Aging Program, Division of Population Health , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: Angela J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Deokar
mesh_terms: D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Caregiving; mental health; sex differences