The Impact of Formal and Informal Support on Health in the Context of Caregiving Stress

Abstract

Caregiving stress increases risk for poor health. The overproduction of inflammatory markers is a core process contributing to this effect. In this study the authors investigated whether formal and informal social support act as protective factors against stress‐induced immune dysregulation. Fifty‐six parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder completed questionnaires on formal support services, informal social support, self‐rated health, and daily somatic symptoms, and they provided a blood sample for analysis of C‐reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation. The results indicated that greater informal social support was associated with lower CRP and that a higher number of formal support services received by the family was related to better self‐rated health, fewer daily somatic symptoms, and lower CRP. Moreover, the impact of support services on the parents' CRP levels increased with child age. These findings highlight the role of formal and informal support in protecting the health of individuals facing caregiving stress across the life course.

Managing Stress Levels of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Meta‐Analytic Review of Interventions

“…Despite these limitations, the findings from this review add to the body of literature demonstrating that BPT and CSIs serve as productive means of providing formal social support to parents of children with a DD. Previous research has found that higher levels of social support, formal and informal, are related to lower levels of reported stress and improved response (physiological and emotional) to stressors (Gouin et al, ; Mezuk et al, ; Perry, ). Furthermore, Gouin et al () found that these decreases in parents' immune dysregulation (and corresponding somatic symptoms), related to levels of social support, increase with the children's age.…”

“…Previous research has found that higher levels of social support, formal and informal, are related to lower levels of reported stress and improved response (physiological and emotional) to stressors (Gouin et al, ; Mezuk et al, ; Perry, ). Furthermore, Gouin et al () found that these decreases in parents' immune dysregulation (and corresponding somatic symptoms), related to levels of social support, increase with the children's age. This finding has significant implications given the natural tendency for inflammatory markers to increase with age (Michaud et al, ).…”

“…This finding has significant implications given the natural tendency for inflammatory markers to increase with age (Michaud et al, ). In sum, the protective impact of programs targeting the stress reduction and management of parents of children with a DD has been demonstrated across numerous reports to improve parent report of stress and mental health, with both immediate and long‐term benefits to parents (Dykens, Fisher, Taylor, Lambert, & Miodrag, ; Feinberg et al, ; Gouin et al, ; Singh et al, ).…”

“…Research has shown that parents of children with a DD face potential challenges in building social relations and has found that restrictions in social activities (often due to the challenging behaviors exhibited by their child) serve as a factor leading to increased stress in caregivers (Cramm & Neiboer, ; Kirkham, ). Yet parents of children with a DD who have strong networks of social supports have been found to display decreased levels of stress (Benson, ; Cramm & Neiboer, ; Gouin et al, ; Minjarez et al, ; Noh et al, ), with these social supports functioning as protective mechanisms against the potential immune dysregulation brought on by chronic stress (Gouin et al, ; Mezuk, Diez Roux, & Seeman, ). Reporting results from a 2‐year follow‐up study of mothers of children with a DD, Kirkham () also found that mothers of older children reported the highest satisfaction with their social friendships and experienced less stress as a result of these relationships.…”

Family Caregiving Amidst Age‐Associated Cognitive Changes: Implications for Practice and Future Generations

“…The scientific literature abounds with information on cognition and memory changes among older populations (Grady, ), demographic trends (Markle‐Reid et al, ), implications of exceptional longevity, and the ever‐present reminder that the provision of care to loved ones is extraordinarily demanding (Bastawrous, , Evans & Lee, ; Gouin, de Estrela, Desmarais, & Barker, ; Martire, Stephens, & Schultz, ; Qualls, ; Roberto et al, ). Much has also been written about the theoretical and practical applications of resilience among individuals and families across the life course (Johnston, Bailey, & Wilson, ; Roush et al, ; Verbeek, Kane, van Rossum, & Hamers, ).…”