Gallagher, Stephen and Kate, M Bennett
(2021)
Caregiving and allostatic load predict future illness and disability: A population-based study.
BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, & IMMUNITY - HEALTH, 16.
100295-.
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Gallagher 2021 Caregiver,Allostatic load and health.pdf - Published version Download (478kB) | Preview |
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Caring for sick or disabled relatives is a key model for understanding the effects of chronic stress on immunity/inflammation; biomarkers which are part of an index of allostatic load. Here, we examine whether caring and allostatic load are predictive of future illness/disability and if the association between caring and illness/disability is mediated by allostatic load.<h4>Method</h4>Using data from the Understanding Society Wave 2 (2011) and Wave 9 (2017-2019) datasets in the UK, a sample of 471 of caregivers and 2,151 non-caregivers (all initially healthy) were compared on allostatic load and future illness/disability.<h4>Results</h4>Caregivers had higher allostatic risk scores, for total as well as immune and non-immune biomarkers, and were more likely (23.3% vs 17.4%) to have an illness/disability in the future compared to non-caregivers. Moreover, caregiving was responsible for a 33% future illness/disability risk. Further, allostatic load was also predictive of excess risk (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.08 - 1.26; <i>p</i> < .001); higher allostatic load was associated with increased risk of illness/disability in the future. In an unadjusted mediation model, allostatic load mediated the association between caregiving and future illness/disability. However, after controlling for confounding, the mediation became non-significant.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These results confirm that caregiving and allostatic load are damaging for future health. Results are also discussed in relation to public health aspects of caregiving.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Allostatic load, Caregiving, Disability, Health, In flammation |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Aug 2021 15:13 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Oct 2023 23:52 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100295 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100295 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3133138 |
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