Gender differences in the relationship between informal caregiving and subjective health: the mediating role of health promoting behaviors

Background

In most of developed societies, the prevalence of informal care is on the rise due to rapid population ageing. This study investigates longitudinal associations between informal caregiving and health among caregivers and potential gender differences in this relationship. Moreover, drawing on the Health Promotion Model, this study examines the mediating role of health promoting behaviors in the link between informal caregiving and caregiver’s health.

Methods

Seven waves of a large-scale (N = 9,608), a nationally representative longitudinal study of middle- and old-aged adults in Korea between 2006 and 2018, were used. To address the possibility of omitted variable bias, this study employed ordinary least squares models with lagged dependent variables (OLS-LDV) as well as fixed effects (FE) models. Univariate Sobel-Goodman mediation tests were used.

Results

Findings from OLS-LDV models showed that transition into informal caregiving is negatively associated with health satisfaction and self-rated health. FE results also suggest that our results are robust to controlling for unobserved heterogeneity. In the model where informal caregiving is interacted with gender, we found that these associations were largely driven by women caregivers. Results from Sobel-Goodman tests revealed that a decrease in regular exercise partially explains the observed association between informal caregiving and subjective health outcomes (11% for health satisfaction and 8% for self-rated health).

Conclusions

Although informal caregiving can be a rewarding role, it poses a threat to caregiver’s subjective health. Findings of this hold important implications and provide evidence in support of a gender-conscious approach to improve the health and well-being of informal caregivers.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12612-3.

The Association of the Health Management Strategy with Subjective Health and Well-being Outcomes in General Population

BACKGROUND

People face many obstacles to overcoming crisis in life and proactively manage life crises. This study aimed to evaluate the association of self-management strategy with subjective health and well-being for the general South Korean population.

METHODS

We recruited 1,200 respondents using an equal-probability sampling method from March to May 2018. A questionnaire including life version of the Smart Management Strategy for Health Assessment Tool (SAT-Life), the five Health Status Questionnaire, Short Form-12, McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) was administered to participants.

RESULTS

In multiple stepwise logistic regression model adjusted with basic demographic variables (age, sex, region, education and monthly income level), core strategy was independently associated with physical, mental, social, spiritual, and general health status (adjusted odds ratios [aORs], 1.97-2.92). Preparation strategy was independently associated with physical, mental, spiritual, and general health status (aORs, 2.36-3.31). Implementation strategy was independently associated with physical, social, spiritual, and general health status (aORs, 2.22-2.42). Core strategy and implementation strategy were independently associated with higher Physical Component Score (aORs, 2.21-2.29) and higher Mental Component Score (aORs, 1.68-1.76). Core strategy and preparation strategy were independently associated with lower PHQ-9 (aORs, 2.63-3.74). Pearson's correlation coefficients between scores on SAT-Life and the other factors (MQOL social support, MQOL spiritual well-being, and SWLS) explain having significant correlations ranging from 0.41-0.43.

CONCLUSION

Self-management strategies of health might be encouraged to manage subjective health and well-being outcomes.

[The Influence of Subjective Health Status, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Social Support on Successful Aging in Middle-Aged Women]

PURPOSE

This study was done to investigate factors influencing successful aging in middle-aged women.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 103 middle-aged women was selected from the community. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson correlations, Spearman correlations and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program.

RESULTS

Results of regression analysis showed that significant factors influencing successful aging were post-traumatic growth and social support. This regression model explained 48% of the variance in successful aging.

CONCLUSION

Findings show that the concept 'post-traumatic growth' is an important factor influencing successful aging in middle-aged women. In addition, social support from friends/co-workers had greater influence on successful aging than social support from family. Thus, we need to consider the positive impact of post-traumatic growth and increase the chances of social participation in a successful aging program for middle-aged women.