Quality of Life of Working and Non-working Informal Caregivers in the Lifelines Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: We aim to study whether working and non-working caregivers differ in their quality of life (QoL), and what the underlying factors of these differences are. Methods: The study population consists of informal caregivers in the LifeLines Cohort Study (aiming to include 165.000 participants in total), who participate in an additional informal care questionnaire. Within 7 months of recruitment, 582 caregivers completed the questionnaire. We aim to include 1000 caregivers. The following constructs were measured: QoL (EQ-5D VAS), caregiver burden (Caregiver Reaction Assessment), work, informal care situation, and support. (Preliminary) findings: 403 caregivers (70%) are employed (77% female, mean age 50 yrs), and 179 (30%) are unemployed (73% female, mean age 60 yrs). The mean QoL of working caregivers (78.3) is significantly higher than of non working caregivers (73.6) (mean difference 4.7; 95%CI .78-8.56). Multivariate regression analyses will examine possible underlying factors of this difference. Discussion: Working and non-working informal caregivers differ in their QoL, and should be targeted differently in interventions when aiming to improve their QoL.