The influence of ethnicity and gender on caregiver health in older New Zealanders

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the interrelationships between ethnicity, gender, and caregiving on the health of older New Zealanders. We hypothesized that those providing higher levels of care and more care across time would have poorer health outcomes and that these relationships would be moderated by ethnicity and gender.

Method: A representative sample of participants (N = 2,155) aged 54-70 years from the first 2 waves of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement study completed postal surveys in 2006 and 2008. Caregiving questions were adapted from the Australian Women's Health study, and health measures were derived from the SF36 Health Survey.

Results: Women and Māori (indigenous New Zealanders) were more likely to provide care than men and non-Māori. Respondents providing higher levels of care reported poorer mental health and this was particularly true of Māori and female caregivers. Male Māori caregivers providing the highest level of care reported the poorest mental health. Level of care was unrelated to physical health. There was minimal evidence for changes in health over time based on caregiver status.

Discussion: The poorer health of caregivers supports previous findings on the detrimental health effects of caregiving. Caregiving may have more detrimental effects on Māori health outcomes due to existing inequalities in health, barriers to formal support services, and the multiple roles of elder Māori.

Keywords: Caregiving; Cultural factors; Gender; Health outcomes..