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Changes in Caregiver Personal Support Networks: Gender Differences and Effects on Health (CUIDAR-SE Study)

Author

Listed:
  • María Nieves Rodríguez-Madrid

    (Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Andalucía Oriental (FIBAO), 18012 Granada, 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)

  • Rosario Fernández-Peña

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Cantabria, 39008 Santander, Spain
    IDIVAL Nursing Research Group, 39011 Santander, Spain
    SALBIS Research Group, University of León, 24400 León, 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

Technological changes have led to important advances in medical diagnoses and treatments that prolong the informal care process. Support from the personal network of informal caregivers is an undervalued resource and the changes that have occurred over time are unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in personal network support among informal caregivers and to examine the effect of these changes on self-perceived caregiver health, with a focus on differences between men and women and caregivers with high and low levels of burden We also investigated caregiver perceptions and explanations of changes to their support network (losses and additions and no change). Using a mixed-methods approach, data were obtained from 32 caregivers that were intentionally selected in Spain, who were interviewed twice with a one-year interval. In the quantitative phase, personal networks analysis was performed with Egonet software, which obtained data on the composition and functional content in social support from 1600 personal relationships (25 alters for each ego in the two waves). In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted in the two waves with a guide in order to explore the changes in informal support resources over time. The selected men with high levels of burden pointed out a loss of network support with more discouraging reports compared with the low-burden male caregivers. Furthermore, the selected women with low burden levels mentioned losses too; however, their reports were more positive. Women reported improved health, especially those with low burden scores in the first wave and those who did not lose support. Caregivers with a high initial burden and who lost support reported worse health, particularly men and women with a strong sense of duty toward care. Social support from personal networks is important for caregiver health and its effects are influenced by gender roles. Our findings could help by improving the relational and social capital of informal caregivers and adapting them to the new needs of formal home care systems.

Suggested Citation

  • María Nieves Rodríguez-Madrid & María del Río-Lozano & Rosario Fernández-Peña & María del Mar García-Calvente, 2021. "Changes in Caregiver Personal Support Networks: Gender Differences and Effects on Health (CUIDAR-SE Study)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11723-:d:674498
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosario Fernández-Peña & José Luis Molina & Oliver Valero, 2020. "Satisfaction with Social Support Received from Social Relationships in Cases of Chronic Pain: The Influence of Personal Network Characteristics in Terms of Structure, Composition and Functional Conten," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-17, April.
    2. María Nieves Rodríguez-Madrid & María Del Río-Lozano & Rosario Fernandez-Peña & Jaime Jiménez-Pernett & Leticia García-Mochón & Amparo Lupiañez-Castillo & María del Mar García-Calvente, 2018. "Gender Differences in Social Support Received by Informal Caregivers: A Personal Network Analysis Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Peña-Longobardo, Luz María & Oliva-Moreno, Juan & García-Armesto, Sandra & Hernández-Quevedo, Cristina, 2016. "The Spanish long-term care system in transition: Ten years since the 2006 Dependency Act," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(10), pages 1177-1182.
    4. Rosario Fernández-Peña & José Luis Molina & Oliver Valero, 2018. "Personal Network Analysis in the Study of Social Support: The Case of Chronic Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Rafael del-Pino-Casado & Antonio Frías-Osuna & Pedro A Palomino-Moral & María Ruzafa-Martínez & Antonio J Ramos-Morcillo, 2018. "Social support and subjective burden in caregivers of adults and older adults: A meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, January.
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