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Physical and Mental Health Status of American Grandparents Providing Extensive Child Care to their Grandchildren
Objective: to
compare the physical, mental, and functional health status of grandparents
providing extensive care to grandchildren (30+ hours per week or 90+
nights per year) with that of custodial grandparents, noncaregivers, and
two categories of less intensive care providers. Methods: Data
on a subsample of 3260 respondents to the National Survey of Families and
Households who reported being grandparents during the 1992 to 1994
interviews were analyzed. Chi-square tests, 1-way ANOVAs, and multiple
regression analyses compared self-reported functional health limitations,
depressive symptoms, and change in self-reported health status and
depression for extensive caregivers (223), custodial grandparents (173),
and 3 other types of grandparents providing less or no child care. Results:
Extensive caregivers had levels of depressive symptoms comparable to those
of custodial caregivers and significantly higher than those of
noncaregivers and less intense care providers. One in 5 extensive
caregivers had clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms. Two out
of every 5 extensive caregivers had at least 1 limitation in activities of
daily living. Conclusions:
Providing extensive care for a grandchild was associated with elevated
levels of depression. Physicians should be alert to family role changes
and symptoms of depression in their older patients. http://www.jamwa.org/vol56/toc56_4.htm (JAMWA. 2001;
56:199-205) |
