Social support in the relationship between perceived informal caregiver burden and general health of female caregivers

Background/objective: Informal caregiving has a negative impact on the health of caregivers, a role that is mainly played by women. In this context, the objectives of this study were to: (1) assess the physical, mental and overall state of health of female caregivers; (2) study the relationship between their health and caregiving-related burden; and (3) investigate the mediating effect of social support in the relationship between perceived burden related to informal caregiving and the general health of caregivers. Method: The sample was composed of 250 women living in the Basque Country (Spain), aged between 30 and 84 years old (M = 58.66; SD = 10.46). Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics; the Zarit Burden Interview, SF-12 and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey were used to measure caregiver burden; quality of life social support respectively. Results: Overall, 27.2% of female caregivers reported chronic health problems. There was a link between higher perceived burden and poorer general health in women especially when less social support was available. Further, social support mediated the relationship between perceived burden and general health. Conclusions: Women's caregiver burden has a negative impact on their overall health and social support. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. on behalf of Sociedad Espanola para el Estudio de la Ansiedad y el Estres - SEAS.