ASSESSING HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND WELLBEING OF NON-SPOUSAL LGBTQIA+ CAREGIVERS OF PEOPLE WITH AD/ADRD
2024

Health and Wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ Caregivers for Dementia Patients

Sample size: 116 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Caldwell Clover, Schwartz Heather, Slowey A J, Werner Nicole, Pickett Andrew

Primary Institution: Indiana University Bloomington

Hypothesis

LGBTQIA+ non-spousal caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease experience unique challenges that affect their health behaviors and wellbeing.

Conclusion

Non-spousal LGBTQIA+ dementia caregivers reported poor health behaviors and high levels of caregiver burden, which were linked to feelings of loneliness and depressive symptoms.

Supporting Evidence

  • Participants reported feelings of loneliness and depressive symptoms linked to caregiver burden.
  • The average weekly hours spent caring for others was 25.54 hours.
  • Most participants identified as moderately active and reported poor sleep quality.

Takeaway

This study looked at how LGBTQIA+ people who care for family members with dementia feel and behave, finding that they often feel lonely and stressed.

Methodology

An online survey was conducted with LGBTQIA+, non-spousal caregivers recruited through the Prolific platform.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in self-reported data and the specific recruitment method may limit generalizability.

Limitations

The study is limited by its focus on non-spousal caregivers and may not represent all LGBTQIA+ caregivers.

Participant Demographics

Participants were predominantly white, women, and bisexual, with an average age of 37.64 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.4119

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