Caregiving and Perceived Generativity: A Positive and Protective Aspect of Providing Care?

Abstract

Objectives Although a sizable body of research supports negative psychological consequences of caregiving, less is known about potential psychological benefits. This study aimed to examine whether caregiving was associated with enhanced generativity, or feeling like one makes important contributions to others. An additional aim was to examine the buffering potential of perceived generativity on adverse health outcomes associated with caregiving. Methods Analyses utilized a subsample of participants (n=3,815, ages 30–84) from the 2nd wave of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Results Regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic factors indicated greater negative affect and depression (p<.001) and lower levels of positive affect (p<.01), but higher self-perceptions of generativity (p<.001), in caregivers compared to non-caregivers. This association remained after adjusting for varying caregiving intensities and negative psychological outcomes. Additionally, generativity interacted with depression and negative affect (p’s<.05) to lessen the likelihood of health-related cutbacks in work/household productivity among caregivers. Conclusions Results suggest that greater feelings of generativity may be a positive aspect of caregiving that might help mitigate some of the adverse health and well-being consequences of care. Clinical Implications Self-perceptions of generativity may help alleviate caregiver burden and explain why some caregivers fare better than others.

Impacts of a multicomponent intervention programme on neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia and psychological health of caregivers: A feasibility pilot study

“…Such affirmation of role fulfilment would reduce the feeling of being trapped in the caregiving role, resulting in successful caregiving experiences that contribute to the positive aspects of caregiving . Evidence shows that positive aspects of caring have shown protective health effects on family caregivers …”

“…47,48 Evidence shows that positive aspects of caring have shown protective health effects on family caregivers. 49 In Asia, such as in Hong Kong (HK) and Singapore, a significant number of families employ FDHs to assist in looking after the older people in the context of home care. 50,51 In particular, approximately 40% of families with family members with dementia employ FDHs to serve as live-in caregivers of the home-dwelling PWD in HK.…”

Multiple Sclerosis Adult Day Programs and Health-Related Quality of Life of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis and Informal Caregivers

“…27 Affect: The Midlife Development in the United States Affect subscale includes anxiety (three items), depression (five items), anger (three items), and positive affect (nine items). 28…”

The Relationship Between Social Skills and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Those who Care for Older Adults

“…Thus, although taking care of a frail older relative is socially expected and valued, we also know that those who are caregivers systematically report poorer physical and mental health when compared to people of the same age and sex who do not care for older individuals (Tomomitsu, Perracini, & Neri, 2014). For many caregivers, this involvement is marked by higher rates of depression, higher perceptions of burden, an increased probability of acquiring coronary diseases, increased social isolation and greater financial pressures (Grossman & Gruenewald, 2017;Wang et al, 2014;Yıkılkan, et al, 2014).…”

“…Del Prette, 2017). As such, one would predict that social skills may be a critical factor that permits those who care for a dependent older adult to experience gains, such as a greater sense of attachment to the older adult, a sense of well-being, a sense of satisfaction related to managing this responsibility, greater contact with other relatives, among others (Grossman & Gruenewald, 2017). According to Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, and Skaff's (1990) theory of stress, the caregivers' coping strategies, along with support from their social network, affect their resilience and efficiency when managing the demands of caring for an older individual (Garces et al, 2012;Li et al, 2012).…”