SENSE OF COHERENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE UTILIZATION: THE CASE OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING COGNITIVELY-IMPAIRED SENIORS

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether family caregivers with a stronger sense of coherence (SOC) who are caring for community dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment are less likely to use mental health services. An adaptation of the Anderson behavioral model of access to health care was employed as a conceptual framework. Data were collected for 304 impaired older adult/family caregiver dyads. Caregiver mental health service use and sense of coherence were measures as well as predisposing factors (age, gender, race, education, type of familial relationship, family size, and co-residence with impaired family member), enabling factors (self-reported awareness of services, travel times to mental health services, social support, and insurance), and need factors (chronic health conditions and distress). The impaired elder’s age, level of physical impairment, and level of memory impairment were also examined. Logistic regression results indicated that caregivers who have a stronger SOC were less likely to use mental health services (OR=0.91, p=0.006). Other significant independent predictors of mental health service use were social support (OR=0.34, p=0.032) and caregivers aiding family members with higher levels of physical impairment (OR=1.14, p=0.033). The results of this study support clinicians and planners developing mental health services that use SOC to mitigate the detrimental effects of caregiving. Future research is needed to target effective measures to positively manipulate this variable.

Citation

Chumbler, N.R., Fortney, J., Cody, M. and Beck, C. (2004), "SENSE OF COHERENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE UTILIZATION: THE CASE OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING COGNITIVELY-IMPAIRED SENIORS", Jacobs Kronenfeld, J. (Ed.) Chronic Care, Health Care Systems and Services Integration (Research in the Sociology of Health Care, Vol. 22), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 159-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0275-4959(04)22009-9