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

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.

Higher physical activity level and perceived social support is associated with less psychological distress in people with anxiety

“…Suggestions for the best amount and highest limit of physical activity to decrease anxiety symptoms have been proposed for the general population ( Kim et al, 2020 ), and both resistance and aerobic exercise have been shown to improve anxiety and psychological distress ( LeBouthillier & Asmundson, 2017 ). In line with the present findings, PA has been also reported to be inversely correlated with successful coping and self-esteem in adults with asthma ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022e ), the same was found for these two variables and also for stress in adults with depression ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ), in adults with cancerous tumours ( Franco-García et al, 2023 ) and in a population of informal caregivers ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ). Successful coping ability ( Craven et al, 2022 ; Dahlstrand et al, 2021 ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022e ), stress ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ) and self-steem ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ) seem to be improved by performing PA, which supports the available research that suggests the potential of PA on the prevention of depression, anxiety and other mental disorders ( Harvey et al, 2010 ; Herring, Lindheimer & O’Connor, 2014 ; Ji et al, 2022 ; Kandola et al, 2018 ; Lautenschlager et al, 2004 ; Schuch et al, 2019 ; Stubbs et al, 2017 ; Wijndaele et al, 2007 ).…”

“…In line with the present findings, PA has been also reported to be inversely correlated with successful coping and self-esteem in adults with asthma ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022e ), the same was found for these two variables and also for stress in adults with depression ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ), in adults with cancerous tumours ( Franco-García et al, 2023 ) and in a population of informal caregivers ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ). Successful coping ability ( Craven et al, 2022 ; Dahlstrand et al, 2021 ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022e ), stress ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ) and self-steem ( Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022c ; Denche-Zamorano et al., 2022d ) seem to be improved by performing PA, which supports the available research that suggests the potential of PA on the prevention of depression, anxiety and other mental disorders ( Harvey et al, 2010 ; Herring, Lindheimer & O’Connor, 2014 ; Ji et al, 2022 ; Kandola et al, 2018 ; Lautenschlager et al, 2004 ; Schuch et al, 2019 ; Stubbs et al, 2017 ; Wijndaele et al, 2007 ). Despite the correlations found among PAL and GHQ-12 items and dimensions, and the available research supporting that performing greater PA is associated with a better mental state, cause–effect relationships cannot be stablished between performing larger PA and a better state in the dimensions evaluated by GHQ-12, including mental health.…”

Relation of the work ability index to fitness for work in healthcare and public employees in a region of Northeastern Italy

“…Psycho-environmental stressors result in absenteeism, dissatisfaction, high turn-over, poor coping with colleagues, and can be measured with tools based on subjective perception of work and life quality and personal satisfaction, such as Life Satisfaction Index , Work Ability Index . Self-evaluation has resulted being a good predictor of future illness and work ability loss according to some authors (Denche-Zamorano et al 2022 ).…”

Comparing Physical Activity and Quality of Life of Caregivers of Children With Physical Disabilities and Typically Developing Children

“…According to studies about the effectiveness of PA in caregivers, being physically active has been associated with improved QoL and decreasing depression, stress, and caregiver burden (Lambert et al, 2016; Loi et al, 2014). In a large-scale study of caregivers in Spain Denche-Zamorano et al (2022)found that, when the PA levels of caregivers, increased, especially to moderate and vigorous levels, their self-perceived health perception improved (Denche-Zamorano et al, 2022). The relationship between QoL and PA in our study supports this finding.…”