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Levels of Depression and Anxiety Among Informal Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Based on the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
[The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on caregivers of people with dementia]

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew Wister
  • Lun Li
  • Barbara Mitchell
  • Christina Wolfson
  • Jacqueline McMillan
  • Lauren E Griffith
  • Susan Kirkland
  • Parminder Raina
  • Laura Anderson
  • Cynthia Balion
  • Asada Yukiko
  • Nicole Basta
  • Benoȋt Cossette
  • Melanie Levasseur
  • Scott Hofer
  • Theone Paterson
  • David Hogan
  • Teresa Liu-Ambrose
  • Verena Menec
  • Philip St. John
  • Gerald Mugford
  • Zhiwei Gao
  • Vanessa Taler
  • Patrick Davidson
  • Andrew Wister
  • Theodore Cosco

Abstract

ObjectivesStudies on informal caregiving during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have mainly focused on subgroups of caregivers using cross-sectional or convenience samples, limiting the generalizability of findings. Conversely, this longitudinal study examines the effects of the pandemic and caregiving factors on depressive symptoms and anxiety over 9 months among informal caregivers in Canada.MethodsThis study uses data from the Baseline (2011–2015), Follow-up 1 (2015–2018), and COVID-19 Study Baseline survey (April to May 2020) and Exit surveys (September to December 2020) of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). A total of 14,118 CLSA participants who were caregivers at Follow-up 1 and participated in the COVID-19 studies were selected. Linear mixed models were used to examine the effect of sex of caregiver, changes in caregiving (increase in caregiving hours and inability to care), and location of care (same household, another household, and health care institution) on depressive symptoms and anxiety from COVID-19 studies Baseline to Exit surveys (about 6–7 months apart).ResultsInformal caregivers reported more frequent depressive symptoms from the COVID-19 Baseline to Exit surveys, but not anxiety. Female caregivers reported greater depressive symptoms and anxiety, and male caregivers exhibited a greater increase in depressive symptoms and anxiety over time. More caregiving hours and inability to provide care were significantly positively associated with depressive symptoms and anxiety. Also, in-home caregivers reported more depressive symptoms and anxiety than those who cared for someone in health care institution, and more anxiety than those who cared for some in another household.DiscussionThe findings shed light on the change in mental health among informal caregivers during the outset of the pandemic. The demonstrated associations between studied variables and mental health among informal caregivers provide empirical evidence for intervention programs aiming to support caregivers, particularly those who are female, and providing intensive care at home.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Wister & Lun Li & Barbara Mitchell & Christina Wolfson & Jacqueline McMillan & Lauren E Griffith & Susan Kirkland & Parminder Raina & Laura Anderson & Cynthia Balion & Asada Yukiko & Nicole Bas, 2022. "Levels of Depression and Anxiety Among Informal Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Based on the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging [The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic and," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(9), pages 1740-1757.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:77:y:2022:i:9:p:1740-1757.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbac035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Titan Alon & Matthias Doepke & Jane Olmstead-Rumsey & Michèle Tertilt, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Gender Equality," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2020_163, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    2. Martin Pinquart & Silvia Sörensen, 2006. "Gender Differences in Caregiver Stressors, Social Resources, and Health: An Updated Meta-Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 61(1), pages 33-45.
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    1. Costi, Chiara & Hollingsworth, Bruce & O'Sullivan, Vincent & Zucchelli, Eugenio, 2023. "Does caring for others affect our mental health? Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).

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