Impacto Del Cuidado De Los Nietos En La Salud Percibida Y El Apoyo Social De Las Abuelas

Objective. To find out the impact on health related quality of life and social support perceived by grandmothers caring for their grandchildren part time. Design. Observational cross-sectional study. Setting. Semi-urban primary care health area, in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. Participants. Women aged more than 55, randomised from the assigned population. Caregivers were grandmothers who took care of their grandchildren aged less than 8 years old, at least 4 hours a day, for 5 or more days a week without remuneration. Variables. Perceived health was obtained by means of an SF-12 questionnaire and social support by a Duke-UNC questionnaire. Educational level, chronic illness, and characteristics associated with the care of grandchildren were recorded. Results. Of the 129 participants, 44 were caregivers. Mean age was 62.4 (6.3) years. Social support was significantly higher in the group of caregivers than in the remainder (48.5 [40.2-53.7] vs 42.0 [36.047.0]; P=.006). No differences in health related quality of life between both groups were found. Perceived mental health was better when parents’ work originated the need for care. Social support was greater when the parents were those who demanded the care. Conclusion. Grandchildren care improves perceived social support in grandmothers and it has no effect on perceived health status.