Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-gtxcr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T00:45:32.780Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Work Experience and Emotional State in Caregivers of Elderly Relatives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2019

María Crespo ,
Ana Isabel Guillén  and
Ana Teresa Piccini
María Crespo*
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
Ana Isabel Guillén
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
Ana Teresa Piccini
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to María Crespo. Universidad Complutense. Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Piscología Clínica. Campus de Somosaguas, S/N. 28223 Madrid (Spain). E-mail: mcrespo@psi.ucm.es
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of work experience variables on the emotional state of worker-caregivers based on stress process model. The emotional state (depression, negative and positive affect and worry-strain), caregiver and care recipient features, caregiving stressors and appraisal, and role strains/work-related variables were assessed in 83 worker-caregivers of elderly dependent relatives. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each of the four emotional outcome variables. Caregiving overload and positive job experience were the best predictors of depression and positive affect. The predictors of negative affect were reaction to memory and behavior problems, overload and role captivity. The predictors of worry and strain were daily hours of caregiving worries, reaction to memory and behavior problems, overload, role captivity and job-caregiving conflicts. The explained variances for the four models were 58.8%, 40.2%, 62.9% and 78.8%, respectively; the role strain contributions were 8.2%, 13.2%, 7.2% and 6%. The results indicate that the effect of perceived job experiences on caregivers’ emotional status is more relevant than objective job conflicts. In addition, caregivers’ emotional state is primarily related to the subjective indicators of caregiving stressors, with a lower contribution of work-related variables.

Keywords

caregivingcaregiving-job conflictstress process model
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 22 , 2019 , E34
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

The authors would like to kindly thank the following Alzheimer’s Associations in Spain for their help and support with this study: the State Reference Care Centre for Alzheimer`s Disease and other Dementias - IMSERSO (Salamanca); the Alzheimer Association of Zamora; AFALcontigo; Los Girasoles; Leñeros; Pamplona; Fray Luis de León; Carmen Laforet and the Canal de Panamá Day-Care Centers (Madrid City Council).

How to cite this article:

Crespo, M., Guillén, A. I., & Piccini, A. T. (2019). Work experience and emotional state in caregivers of elderly relatives. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 22. e34. Doi:10.1017/sjp.2019.34

References

Aneshensel, C. S., Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T., Zarit, S., & Whitlatch, C. J. (1995). Profiles in caregiving: The unexpected career. New York, NY: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Amstad, F. T., Meier, L. L., Fasel, U., Elfering, A., & Semmer, N. K. (2011). A meta-analysis of work–family conflict and various outcomes with a special emphasis on cross-domain versus matching-domain relations. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 16(2), 151–169. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022170CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bohlmann, C., & Zacher, H. (2019). Supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities. In Burke, R. J. & Richardsen, A. M. (Eds.), Creating Psychologically Healthy Workplaces (pp. 431–451). Cheltenhan, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, M., & Pitt-Catsouphes, M. (2016). A mediational model of workplace flexibility, work–family conflict, and perceived stress among caregivers of older adults. Community, Work & Family, 19, 379–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2015.1034656CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cacabelos, R. (1990). Neurobiología y genética molecular de la enfermedad de Alzheimer: Marcadores diagnóticos y terapéutica [The neurobiology and molecular genetics of Alzheimer’s disease: The diagnostic markers and therapy]. Medicina Clínica, 95, 502–516.Google Scholar
Clancy, R. L., Fisher, G. G., Daigle, K. L., Henle, C. A., McCarthy, J., & Fruhauf, C. A. (2019). Eldercare and work among informal caregivers: A multidisciplinary review and recommendations for future research. Journal of Business and Psychology , 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-018-9612-3Google Scholar
Crespo, M., & Fernández-Lansac, V. (2014). Factors associated with anger and anger expression in caregivers of elderly relatives. Aging & Mental Health, 18(4), 454–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2013.856857CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crespo, M., & López, J. (2007). El apoyo a los cuidadores de familiares mayores dependientes en el hogar: Desarrollo del programa “Cómo mantener su bienestar.” [Support for caregivers of elderly relatives: Development of the program “How to maintain your wellbeing”]. Madrid, Spain: IMSERSO.Google Scholar
Crespo, M., & López, J. (2008). Cuidadoras y cuidadores: El efecto del género en el cuidado no profesional de los mayores [Female and male caregivers: Gende effect in non-professional care of elderly persons]. Boletín sobre el Envejecimiento, Perfiles y Tendencias No.35. Madrid, Spain: Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales.Google Scholar
Cruz, A. (1991). El índice de Katz [The Katz Index]. Revista Española de Geriatría y Gerontología, 26, 338–348.Google Scholar
Durbin, J., & Watson, G. S. (1951). Testing for serial correlation in least squares regression. II. Biometrika, 38(1/2), 159–177.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Duxbury, L., Higgins, C., & Smart, R. (2011). Elder care and the impact of caregiver strain on the health of employed caregivers. Work, 40(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-2011-1204Google ScholarPubMed
Edwards, A. B., Zarit, S. H., Stephens, M. A. P., & Townsend, A. (2002). Employed family caregivers of cognitively impaired elderly: An examination of role strain and depressive symptoms. Aging & Mental Health, 6, 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860120101149CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., & Scharlach, A. E. (2006). An interactive model of informal adult care and employment. Community, Work & Family, 9(4), 441–455. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668800600925084CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gillen, M. C., & Chung, E. D. (2005). An initial investigation of employee stress related to caring for elderly and dependent relatives at home. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 25, 78–93. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443330510791199CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goode, W. J. (1960). A theory of role strain. American Sociological Review, 25, 483–496. https://doi.org/10.2307/2092933CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Halinski, M., Duxbury, L., & Higgins, C. (2018). Working while caring for mom, dad, and junior too: Exploring the impact of employees’ caregiving situation on demands, control, and perceived stress. Journal of Family Issues, 39(12), 3248–3275. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X18777839CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, T., & Slagsvold, B. (2015). Feeling the squeeze? The effects of combining work and informal caregiving on psychological well-being. European Journal of Ageing, 12(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-014-0315-yCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heitmueller, A. (2007). The chicken or the egg? Endogeneity in labour market participation of informal carers in England. Journal of Health Economics, 26, 536–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2006.10.005CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales (IMSERSO) (2005). Cuidados a las personas mayores en los hogares españoles. El entorno familiar [Care for elderly in Spanish homes. Familiar environment]. Madrid, Spain: IMSERSO.Google Scholar
Jenson, J., & Jacobzone, S. (2000). Care allowances for the frail elderly and their impact on women care-givers. OECD Labour Market and Social Policy Occasional Papers, 41. https://doi.org/10.1787/414673405257Google Scholar
Katz, S., Ford, A. B., Moskowitz, R. W., Jackson, B. A., & Jaffe, M. W. (1963). Studies of illness in the aged. The index of ADL: A standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function. JAMA, 185(12), 914–919. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1963.03060120024016CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
La Fontaine, J., Read, K., Brooker, D., Evans, S., & Jutlla, K. (2016). The experiences, needs and outcomes for carers of people with dementia: Literature review. London, UK: RSAS.Google Scholar
Longacre, M. L., Valdmanis, V. G., Handorf, E. A., & Fang, C. Y. (2017). Work impact and emotional stress among informal caregivers for older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 72(3), 522–531. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbw027Google ScholarPubMed
Mahoney, R., Regan, C., Katona, C., & Livingston, G. (2005). Anxiety and depression in family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease: The LASER-AD study. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13, 795–801. https://doi.org/10.1097/00019442-200509000-00008CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martín, M., Salvadó, I., Nadal, S., Mijí, L., Rico, J., Lanz, P., … Taussing, M. I. (1996). Adaptación a nuestro medio de la Escala de Sobrecarga del Cuidador de Zarit [Spanish adaptation of Caregiver Burden Interview]. Revista de Gerontología, 6, 338–346.Google Scholar
Mosquera, I., Vergara, I., Larrañaga, I., Machón, M., del Rio, M., & Calderón, C. (2016). Measuring the impact of informal elderly caregiving: A systematic review of tools. Quality of Life Research, 25(5), 1059–1092. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-015-1159-4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T., Semple, S. J., & Skaff, M. M. (1990). Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. The Gerontologist, 30, 583–594. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/30.5.583CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pinquart, M., & Sörensen, S. (2003). Differences between caregivers and noncaregivers in psychological health and physical health: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 18, 250–267. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.18.2.250CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 385–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/014662167700100306CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reid, R. C., Stajduhar, K. I., & Chappell, N. L. (2010). The impact of work interferences on family caregiver outcomes. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 29, 267–289. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464809339591CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reisberg, B., Ferris, S., De Leon, M., & Crook, T. (1982). The Global Deterioration Scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 139, 1136–1139. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.139.9.1136Google ScholarPubMed
Robertson, S. M., Zarit, S. H., Duncan, L. G., Rovine, M., & Femia, E. E. (2007). Family caregivers’ patterns of positive and negative affect. Family Relations, 56, 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2007.00436.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rogero-García, J. (2010). Los tiempos del cuidado. El impacto de la dependencia de los mayores en la vida cotidiana de sus cuidadores [The times of care. The impact of dependence on the elderly in the daily lives of their caregivers]. Madrid, Spain: Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales IMSERSO.Google Scholar
Sandín, B., Chorot, P., Lostao, L., Joiner, T. E., Santed, M. A. & Valiente, R. M. (1999). Escala PANAS de afecto positivo y negativo: Validación factorial y convergencia transcultural [PANAS Scale for positive and negative affect: Factorial validation and transcultural convergence]. Psicothema, 11, 37–51.Google Scholar
Schulz, R., & Sherwood, P. R. (2008). Physical and mental health effects of family caregiving. American Journal of Nursing, 108, 23–27. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000336406.45248.4cCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sieber, S. D. (1974). Toward a Theory of Role Accumulation. American Sociological Review, 39, 567–578. https://doi.org/10.2307/2094422CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Soler, J., Pérez-Sola, V., Puigdemont, D., Pérez-Blanco, J., Figueres, M., & Alvarez, E. (1997). Estudio de validación del Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) en una población española de pacientes con trastornos afectivos [Validation study of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) in a Spanish population of patients with affective disorders]. Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría, 25(4), 243–249.Google Scholar
Stephens, M. A. P., Townsend, A. L., Martire, L. M., & Druley, J. A. (2001). Balancing parent care with other roles: Interrole conflict of adult daughter caregivers. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 56, P24–P34. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/56.1.P24CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Teri, L., Truax, P., Logsdon, R., Uomoto, J., Zarit, S., & Vitaliano, P. P. (1992). Assessment of behavioral problems in dementia. The revised memory and behavior problems checklist. Psychology and Aging, 7, 622–631.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Trukeschitz, B., Schneider, U., Mühlmann, R., & Ponocny, I. (2013). Informal eldercare and work-related strain. The Journals of Gerontology - Series B, 68, 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbs101CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vaingankar, J. A., Chong, S. A., Abdin, E., Picco, L., Shafie, S., Seow, E., ... Subramaniam, M. (2016). Psychiatric morbidity and its correlates among informal caregivers of older adults. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 68, 178–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.04.017CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, Y.-N., Shyu, Y.-I. L., Chen, M.-C., & Yang, P.-S. (2011). Reconciling work and family caregiving among adult-child family caregivers of older people with dementia: Effects on role strain and depressive symptoms. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67, 829–840. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05505.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063–1070. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wilson, M. R., van Houtven, C. H., Stearns, S. C., & Clipp, E. C. (2007). Depression and missed work among informal caregivers or older individuals with dementia. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 28(4), 684–698. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-007-9081-8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zacher, H., & Schulz, H. (2015). Employees’ eldercare demands, strain, and perceived support. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 30(2), 183–198. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-06-2013-0157CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zarit, S. H., Reever, K. E., & Bach-Peterson, J. (1980). Relatives of the impaired elderly: Correlates of feelings of burden. The Gerontologist, 20, 646–655. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/20.6.649CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zarit, S. H., Stephens, M. A. P., Townsend, A., & Greene, R. (1998). Stress reduction for family caregivers: Effects of adult day care use. The Journals of Gerontology Series B, 53B, S267–S277. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/53B.5.S267CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zuba, M., & Schneider, U. (2013). What helps working informal caregivers? The role of workplace characteristics in balancing work and adult-care responsibilities. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 34(4), 460–469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9347-7CrossRefGoogle Scholar