Schulz R, Newsom J, Mittelmark M, Burton L, Hirsch C, Jackson S
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Ann Behav Med. 1997 Spring;19(2):110-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02883327.
We propose that two related sources of variability in studies of caregiving health effects contribute to an inconsistent pattern of findings: the sampling strategy used and the definition of what constitutes caregiving. Samples are often recruited through self-referral and are typically comprised of caregivers experiencing considerable distress. In this study, we examine the health effects of caregiving in large population-based samples of spousal caregivers and controls using a wide array of objective and self-report physical and mental health outcome measures. By applying different definitions of caregiving, we show that the magnitude of health effects attributable to caregiving can vary substantially, with the largest negative health effects observed among caregivers who characterize themselves as being strained. From an epidemiological perspective, our data show that approximately 80% of persons living with a spouse with a disability provide care to their spouse, but only half of care providers report mental or physical strain associated with caregiving.
我们认为，在护理健康影响研究中，两个相关的变异性来源导致了研究结果的不一致模式：所使用的抽样策略以及护理的构成定义。样本通常通过自我推荐招募，并且通常由经历相当大痛苦的护理人员组成。在本研究中，我们使用一系列客观和自我报告的身心健康结果指标，在基于人群的大型配偶护理人员和对照组样本中研究护理的健康影响。通过应用不同的护理定义，我们表明，护理对健康的影响程度可能有很大差异，在将自己描述为压力大的护理人员中观察到最大的负面健康影响。从流行病学角度来看，我们的数据表明，约80%与残疾配偶共同生活的人会照顾其配偶，但只有一半的护理提供者报告有与护理相关的精神或身体压力。
