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Health, Work, and Social Problems in Spanish Informal Caregivers: Does Gender Matter? (The CUIDAR-SE Study)

Author

Listed:
  • Luz María Peña-Longobardo

    (Departamento de Análisis Económico y Seminario de Investigación en Economía y Salud (SIES), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain)

  • María Del Río-Lozano

    (Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública (EASP), 18080 Granada, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada ibs. Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain)

  • Juan Oliva-Moreno

    (Departamento de Análisis Económico y Seminario de Investigación en Economía y Salud (SIES), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain)

  • Isabel Larrañaga-Padilla

    (Departamento de Salud del Gobierno Vasco, Delegación de Salud de Gipuzkoa, 20010 San Sebastián, Spain)

  • María del Mar García-Calvente

    (Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública (EASP), 18080 Granada, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada ibs. Granada, 18012 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this study was (i) to analyze problems faced by informal caregivers in three areas of their life: health, work and finances, and family and social relationships, (ii) to investigate the main determinants of these problems, and (iii) to explore differences between men and women. (2) Methods: The study population consisted of people aged ≥18 years living in a family home who were providing unpaid care to a dependent person in the same or another home and who were registered as caregivers with the Primary Health Care District of Granada or the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. Several logistic regression models were built to analyze the likelihood of caregivers experiencing health, work-related, or social problems as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. (3) Results: Informal female caregivers were more likely to experience problems attributed to caregiving than their male counterparts, particularly in the areas of health and work. Additional factors associated with an increased likelihood of problems were low perceived social support, performance of ungratifying tasks, and fewer years as a caregiver. (4) Conclusions: Informal caregivers in Spain face significant problems as a result of their caregiving duties, and the impact on men and women is different. Policies and interventions to mitigate the negative effects of unpaid caregiving should incorporate differential strategies to meet the specific needs of male and female caregivers in different caregiving contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Luz María Peña-Longobardo & María Del Río-Lozano & Juan Oliva-Moreno & Isabel Larrañaga-Padilla & María del Mar García-Calvente, 2021. "Health, Work, and Social Problems in Spanish Informal Caregivers: Does Gender Matter? (The CUIDAR-SE Study)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7332-:d:591011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Pilar Matud & M. Concepción García & Demelza Fortes, 2019. "Relevance of Gender and Social Support in Self-Rated Health and Life Satisfaction in Elderly Spanish People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-15, July.
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    1. Virginia Rodrigo-Baños & Marta del Moral-Pairada & Luis González-de Paz, 2021. "A Comprehensive Assessment of Informal Caregivers of Patients in a Primary Healthcare Home-Care Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Longobardo, Luz María Peña & Rodríguez-Sánchez, Beatriz & Oliva, Juan, 2023. "Does becoming an informal caregiver make your health worse? A longitudinal analysis across Europe," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).

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