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. 2022 Apr 27;19(9):5320.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095320.

A Cross-Sectional Study about the Associations between Physical Activity Level, Self-Perceived Health Perception and Mental Health in Informal Caregivers of Elderly or People with Chronic Conditions in Spain

Ángel Denche-Zamorano  1 , Laura Muñoz-Bermejo  2 , Jorge Carlos-Vivas  1 , María Mendoza-Muñoz  3   4 , Juan Manuel Franco-García  5 , Jorge Rojo-Ramos  2 , Alejandro Vega-Muñoz  6 , Nicolás Contreras-Barraza  7 , Sabina Barrios-Fernandez  2
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A Cross-Sectional Study about the Associations between Physical Activity Level, Self-Perceived Health Perception and Mental Health in Informal Caregivers of Elderly or People with Chronic Conditions in Spain

Ángel Denche-Zamorano et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Providing informal care for older people, or people with chronic conditions, is associated with poorer physical and mental health and reduced quality of life. This task, in many cases, often relies on the women in the immediate family. Physical activity (PA) is a tool to enhance caregivers' physical and mental health and their quality of life. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the associations between the physical activity level (PAL), self-perceived health (SPH) and mental health (SM) and its factors (positive coping, self-esteem, and stress) by conducting a cross-sectional study by using data from in the National Health Survey 2017 (ENSE 2017), the last one before the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample included 2225 caregivers (866 men and 1361 women). Descriptive analysis and non-parametric statistical tests, including chi-square, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, were used. Dependence relationships were found between PAL and SPH and MH and their factors. The population groups that performed moderate or vigorous PA showed better results in both SPH and MH. Women scored worse than men in all the variables analysed. Hence, intense, or moderate PA practice may improve SPH and MH in Spanish informal caregivers, requiring the implementation of policies and programs considering the differences found between men and women in PAL, SPH, and MH.

Keywords: caregivers; mental health; national survey; physical activity; physical health; self-perceived health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chart outlining the study sample’s eligibility criteria.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of physical activity level by sex (men and women).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison of mean mental health scores according to physical activity level, differentiated by sex (men and women). GHQ-12: Goldberg General Health Questionnaire.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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