Impact of Aspects of Caregiving on Caregiver Mental Health

Abstract

This study aims to identify leverage points in the caregiving experience to maximize the impact of programs and policies aimed at supporting informal caregivers. Using data from the 2017–2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, we assessed the impact of hours engaged in caregiving, length of caregiving, and caregiving tasks on the mental health of caregivers (n = 12,244). A zero-inflated negative binomial regression was completed controlling for age, income, sex, and general health. Caregivers had an average of five poor mental health days per month and 56% reported no poor mental health days. Caregiving for 20 h or more per week was associated with more poor mental health days (IRR = 1.215, p