To examine the influence of gender on burden experience and depression among informal caregivers of frail older people.

The study was part of a large survey in private households in Germany headed by TNS Infratest Social Research. Based on a probability sample of the German population (n = 52,916), we contacted all people who were 60 years of age and older and who screened positively for at least one deficit in a range of activities of daily living as well as for cognitive impairment. Characteristics of the frail person and the care situation were assessed and - if an informal caregiver was available - burden measures and the CES-Depression Scale were applied.

The care of the frail old people (n = 306, attrition: 39%; mean age: 80.2 years; female: 68.6%) was provided mostly by family caregivers (n = 262; mean age: 61 years; female: 73%). Both the burden experience and the depressive symptoms were higher among the female than among the male caregivers. Multiple linear regression analyses confirmed that caregiver's gender was one of the strongest predictors of burden experience as well as of depression. Structural equation modeling suggested that burden mediates depression; it further proposed that there should be separate models for female and male caregivers.

The results provide a basis for the development of strategies to reduce or even prevent serious distress and psychiatric disorders among informal caregivers. Furthermore, they point to the need for gender-specific interventions in this field.