The dyadic interaction of relationships and disability type on informal carer subjective well-being

• Published in: Quality of life research Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 1535 - 1542
• Main Authors: Hammond, Thomas, Weinberg, Melissa K., Cummins, Robert A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer 01.06.2014; Springer International Publishing; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of covariance; Australia - epidemiology; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Caregivers - statistics & numerical data; Childhood mental disorders; Children & youth; Chronic diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dementia; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; Depressive disorders; Disabilities; Disability; Disability Evaluation; Disabled Persons - classification; Disabled Persons - psychology; Dyadics; Families & family life; Family Health - statistics & numerical data; Female; Health Status; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental illness; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Older people; People with disabilities; Personal Satisfaction; Population; Psychological stress; Public Health; Quality of Life; Quality of Life Research; Severity of Illness Index; Sociodemographics; Socioeconomic Factors; Sociology; Spouses; Stress; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Variables; Wellbeing; Workload - psychology; Young Adult; Australia; Subjective well-being; Informal carers; Depression; Stress
• ISSN: 0962-9343; 1573-2649
• DOI: 10.1007/s11136-013-0577-4

Purpose Care-related factors have frequently been associated with elevated levels of distress and diminished subjective well-being. However, these variables have traditionally been considered independently. The objectives of this study were to explore the subjective well-being of informal carers in Australia and to specifically examine the effect of the dyadic interaction between the caring relationship and type of disability on the subjective well-being of informal carers. Methods Informal carers (n = 4,096) completed the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) and Depression and Stress Scales. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the subjective well-being of carers to the general population while controlling for socio-demographic factors. To examine the dyadic relationship, a multivariate analysis of covariance was employed. Results After socio-demographic variables were controlled, informal carers reported significantly lower PWI scores compared to the general population. The results of the multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant interaction between the caring relationship and the type of disability being managed on subjective well-being. No differences were found for symptoms of depression and stress. Conclusions The findings of this study imply that the detrimental effect of caring on subjective well-being is magnified for carers who support a child with a mental illness or multiple types of disabilities. These carers displayed the lowest levels of subjective well-being, highlighting the dyadic effects of care-related variables. Consideration of these factors is essential to target effective intervention programs for those most at risk of diminished well-being.