Psychological distress among Chinese caregivers: the role of secondary caregivers

This journal suppl. entitled: 2013 GSA Annual Scientific Meeting AbstractsTheme: Optimal Aging Through ResearchSession 2155 (Symposium)OBJECTIVE: This study examines the types of support provided by secondary caregivers to spousal and offspring primary caregivers in Hong Kong and the role played by secondary caregivers on the relationship between care needs of care recipients and psychological distress of primary caregivers. METHOD: This study analyzed secondary data on tertiary based standardized assessment on long-term care applicants. A total of 5,540 initial assessments on community-dwelling older applicants who had a spousal or offspring primary caregivers were included. RESULTS: Around 60% secondary caregivers provided both ADL/IADL and emotional support. Spousal or offspring caregivers who had secondary caregivers who provided both ADL/IADL and emotional support were less distressed as compared to those without secondary caregivers (OR=0.797, p <.05). CONCLUSION: Emotional and instrumental support provided by secondary caregivers had positive impacts on the psychological well-being of spousal and offspring primary caregivers