Perceived Gratitude, Role Overload, and Mental Health Among Spousal Caregivers of Older Adults

Objectives We investigated whether spousal caregivers' greater perception of being appreciated by their partner for their help was associated with caregivers' better mental health and whether caregivers' higher role overload was related to their poorer mental health. We further evaluated whether spousal caregivers' greater perceived gratitude buffered the association between their role overload and mental health. Methods We examined 306 spousal caregivers of older adults with chronic illness or disability, drawn from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. We defined mental health as better psychological well-being and less psychological distress (i.e., fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms). Hierarchical regression models were estimated to test hypotheses. Results Greater perceived gratitude was associated with better psychological well-being, and higher role overload was related to poorer psychological well-being and greater psychological distress. In addition, greater perceived gratitude buffered the associations between role overload and anxiety symptoms as well as psychological well-being. Discussion Findings suggest that spousal caregivers' role overload may be a strong risk factor for their poorer mental health, especially when caregivers feel less appreciated by their partner. Couple-oriented interventions to improve spousal caregivers' mental health could be aimed at reducing their role overload and enhancing perceived gratitude.

Automated summary

This study examined the association between spousal caregivers' perception of being appreciated by their partners, their role overload, and their mental health. The results showed that a greater sense of gratitude was related to better psychological well-being, while higher role overload was associated with poorer psychological well-being and greater psychological distress. Additionally, perceived gratitude buffered the association between role overload and anxiety symptoms as well as psychological well-being.