TY - JOUR
T1 - Caregiving and cognitive function in older women
T2 - Evidence for the healthy caregiver hypothesis
AU - Bertrand, Rosanna M.
AU - Saczynski, Jane S.
AU - Mezzacappa, Catherine
AU - Hulse, Mallorie
AU - Ensrud, Kristine
AU - Fredman, Lisa
PY - 2012/2/1
Y1 - 2012/2/1
N2 - Objectives: Recent findings of better health outcomes in older caregivers than noncaregivers suggest a healthy caregiver hypothesis (HCH) model may be more appropriate than the stress process model for evaluating the health effects of caregiving. In a cross-sectional study, we tested the HCH on two cognitive domains: verbal memory and processing speed. Method: Participants from the Caregiver Study of Osteoporotic Fractures who had a 2-year follow-up interview were categorized as continuous caregivers (n = 194), former caregivers (n = 148), or continuous noncaregivers (n = 574). The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT; memory) and Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST; processing speed) were administered at the follow-up interview. Results: Continuous caregivers had better memory performance and processing speed than continuous noncaregivers: adjusted mean scores for HVLT were 18.38 versus 15.80 (p <.0001), and for DSST were 35.91 versus 34.38 (p =.09). Discussion: Results support the HCH model for cognitive outcomes in older women caregivers; however, the relationship may be domain specific.
AB - Objectives: Recent findings of better health outcomes in older caregivers than noncaregivers suggest a healthy caregiver hypothesis (HCH) model may be more appropriate than the stress process model for evaluating the health effects of caregiving. In a cross-sectional study, we tested the HCH on two cognitive domains: verbal memory and processing speed. Method: Participants from the Caregiver Study of Osteoporotic Fractures who had a 2-year follow-up interview were categorized as continuous caregivers (n = 194), former caregivers (n = 148), or continuous noncaregivers (n = 574). The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT; memory) and Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST; processing speed) were administered at the follow-up interview. Results: Continuous caregivers had better memory performance and processing speed than continuous noncaregivers: adjusted mean scores for HVLT were 18.38 versus 15.80 (p <.0001), and for DSST were 35.91 versus 34.38 (p =.09). Discussion: Results support the HCH model for cognitive outcomes in older women caregivers; however, the relationship may be domain specific.
KW - caregiving
KW - cognition
KW - elderly women
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U2 - 10.1177/0898264311421367
DO - 10.1177/0898264311421367
M3 - Article
C2 - 21934121
AN - SCOPUS:84855230096
VL - 24
SP - 48
EP - 66
JO - Journal of Aging and Health
JF - Journal of Aging and Health
SN - 0898-2643
IS - 1
ER -