Family Caregiver Role and Burden Related to Gender and Family Relationships

Abstract

This study described and contrasted family caregivers and explored the effect of gender and family relationship on the caregiver’s role perception, workload, burden, and family help. Home care agencies and community organizations assisted with the recruitment of 533 multicultural, predominantly Latino caregivers who were interviewed at home. The Caregiver Identity Theory guided the study. Survey instruments were standardized tools or were constructed and pretested for this study. Descriptive statistics and t-test analyses assisted in describing the sample, and multivariate analyses were used to contrast the caregiver groups. Findings suggested a gendered approach to self-appraisal and coping. Men in this predominantly Latino and Caribbean sample felt less burden and depression than women who believed caregiving is a female duty. Family nurses should pay attention to the most vulnerable groups—older spouses resistant to using family and community resources and hard-working female adult children—and assess each family situation individually.