Differences in Outcomes of Caregiver Support Services for Male and Female Caregivers

Ya-Mei Chen

doi:10.1177/2158244014548169

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine whether different types of caregiver support services are associated with different outcomes for male and female caregivers. Information was obtained on 148 caregivers’ use of three types of support services provided by government-contracted agencies: counseling and education services, respite and supplemental services, and financial services. Five caregiver outcomes were included. Use of counseling and education services and financial services was associated with better caregiver outcomes in female caregivers, but not male caregivers. Among caregivers using respite and supplemental types of services, male caregivers showed better outcomes than did female caregivers. Female caregivers who used respite and supplemental services showed worse outcomes in caregiver mastery and caregiver satisfaction than those who did not use the services. Male and female caregivers responded differently to the caregiver support service. Providing female caregivers with counseling services along with respite services may result in added benefits for female caregivers.

Highlights

An estimated 65.7 million Americans function as informal caregivers of ill or disabled individuals, and more than 3 in 10 U.S households (31.2%; 36.5 million households) report being served by an unpaid family caregiver
To begin to answer this call, in the aim of understanding how different characteristics among caregivers are associated with the outcomes of particular caregiver interventions, the current study explores how male and female caregivers respond to support services
Male caregivers were more likely to care for a spouse/partner (64.3%) than for elderly parents (32.1%), whereas a relatively equal percentage of female caregivers were caring for a spouse/partner (39.2%) and for elderly parents (40.0%; see Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

An estimated 65.7 million Americans function as informal caregivers of ill or disabled individuals, and more than 3 in 10 U.S households (31.2%; 36.5 million households) report being served by an unpaid family caregiver. Among these caregivers, 7 in 10 take care of someone 50 years of age or older (AARP, 2009). Research has shown differences among populations of male and female caregivers, such as in the types of care they provide to their care recipients. The National Alliance for Caregiving survey has reported that male caregivers are less likely to provide personal care (AARP, 2009). Male and female caregivers experience caregiving differently (AARP, 2009; de Cordova et al, 2010; Kao, 2003; Kao & McHugh, 2004; Lawrence, Goodnow, Woods, & Karantzas, 2002; Navaie-Waliser, Spriggs, & Feldman, 2002; Vitaliano et al, 2002; Vitaliano, Zhang, & Scanlan, 2003; Wallsten, 2000)

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