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Gender Differences in Social Support Received by Informal Caregivers: A Personal Network Analysis Approach

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  • María Nieves Rodríguez-Madrid

    (Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Andalucía Oriental (FIBAO), 18012 Granada, Spain
    Andalusian School of Public Health, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, 18080 Granada, Spain)

  • María Del Río-Lozano

    (Andalusian School of Public Health, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, 18080 Granada, Spain
    Biomedical Research Centre (ibs.GRANADA), 18080 Granada, Spain)

  • Rosario Fernandez-Peña

    (Department of Nursing, SALBIS Research Group, Nursing Research Group IDIVAL, University of Cantabria, 39008 Santander, Spain)

  • Jaime Jiménez-Pernett

    (Andalusian School of Public Health, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, 18080 Granada, Spain
    Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3N 1X7, Canada)

  • Leticia García-Mochón

    (Andalusian School of Public Health, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, 18080 Granada, Spain
    Biomedical Research Centre (ibs.GRANADA), 18080 Granada, Spain
    CIBER en Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Amparo Lupiañez-Castillo

    (Andalusian School of Public Health, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, 18080 Granada, Spain)

  • María del Mar García-Calvente

    (Andalusian School of Public Health, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, 18080 Granada, Spain
    Biomedical Research Centre (ibs.GRANADA), 18080 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

Social support is an important predictor of the health of a population. Few studies have analyzed the influence of caregivers’ personal networks from a gender perspective. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition, structure, and function of informal caregiver support networks and to examine gender differences. It also aimed to explore the association between different network characteristics and self-perceived health among caregivers. We performed a social network analysis study using a convenience sample of 25 female and 25 male caregivers. A descriptive analysis of the caregivers and bivariate analyses for associations with self-perceived health were performed. The structural metrics analyzed were density; degree centrality mean; betweenness centrality mean; and number of cliques, components, and isolates. The variability observed in the structure of the networks was not explained by gender. Some significant differences between men and women were observed for network composition and function. Women received help mainly from women with a similar profile to them. Men’s networks were broader and more diverse and they had more help from outside family circles, although these outcomes were not statistically significant. Our results indicate the need to develop strategies that do not reinforce traditional gender roles, but rather encourage a greater sharing of responsibility among all parties.

Suggested Citation

  • María Nieves Rodríguez-Madrid & María Del Río-Lozano & Rosario Fernandez-Peña & Jaime Jiménez-Pernett & Leticia García-Mochón & Amparo Lupiañez-Castillo & María del Mar García-Calvente, 2018. "Gender Differences in Social Support Received by Informal Caregivers: A Personal Network Analysis Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:91-:d:194087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Pinquart & Silvia Sörensen, 2007. "Correlates of Physical Health of Informal Caregivers: A Meta-Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(2), pages 126-137.
    2. Bauer, Jan Michael & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, 2015. "Impacts of Informal Caregiving on Caregiver Employment, Health, and Family," IZA Discussion Papers 8851, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    1. María Nieves Rodríguez-Madrid & María del Río-Lozano & Rosario Fernández-Peña & María del Mar García-Calvente, 2021. "Changes in Caregiver Personal Support Networks: Gender Differences and Effects on Health (CUIDAR-SE Study)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, November.

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