TY - JOUR
T1 - Explaining the gender gap in the caregiving burden of partner caregivers
AU - Swinkels, Joukje
AU - van Tilburg, Theo
AU - Verbakel, Ellen
AU - Broese van Groenou, Marjolein
PY - 2019/1/10
Y1 - 2019/1/10
N2 - Objectives: We examine gender differences in the experienced burden of partner caregivers using the stress-appraisal model. Gender differences can be explained by differences in conditions of burden (primary stressors, help from others, hours of caregiving, and secondary stressors) and how strong their effects are. Method: The data are from the Netherlands' Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey-Minimum Data Set (N = 1,611 caregivers). We examine mediation and moderation effects using structural equation modeling. Results: Women experience greater partner caregiver burden than men, which is related to women experiencing more secondary stressors (relational and financial problems, problems combining different tasks). For women and men alike, there is a positive association between burden and more primary stressors (partner's care need indicated by health impairment), help from other caregivers, and secondary stressors. For male caregivers, caregiving intensity also contributes to a greater burden. Discussion: This study corroborates the structural impact of gender on the conditions of as well as their effects on the partner caregiver burden. Reducing the hours of caregiving for male caregivers in severe care situations and helping female and male caregivers deal emotionally with the caregiving situation can reduce the partner caregiver burden.
AB - Objectives: We examine gender differences in the experienced burden of partner caregivers using the stress-appraisal model. Gender differences can be explained by differences in conditions of burden (primary stressors, help from others, hours of caregiving, and secondary stressors) and how strong their effects are. Method: The data are from the Netherlands' Older Persons and Informal Caregivers Survey-Minimum Data Set (N = 1,611 caregivers). We examine mediation and moderation effects using structural equation modeling. Results: Women experience greater partner caregiver burden than men, which is related to women experiencing more secondary stressors (relational and financial problems, problems combining different tasks). For women and men alike, there is a positive association between burden and more primary stressors (partner's care need indicated by health impairment), help from other caregivers, and secondary stressors. For male caregivers, caregiving intensity also contributes to a greater burden. Discussion: This study corroborates the structural impact of gender on the conditions of as well as their effects on the partner caregiver burden. Reducing the hours of caregiving for male caregivers in severe care situations and helping female and male caregivers deal emotionally with the caregiving situation can reduce the partner caregiver burden.
KW - Burden
KW - Gender differences
KW - caregiving
KW - secondary stressors
KW - spousal caregiving
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85059798126&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85059798126&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/geronb/gbx036
DO - 10.1093/geronb/gbx036
M3 - Article
C2 - 28379560
AN - SCOPUS:85059798126
SN - 1079-5014
VL - 74
SP - 309
EP - 317
JO - The Journals of Gerontology. Series B : Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
JF - The Journals of Gerontology. Series B : Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
IS - 2
ER -