Neutrophil function in young and old caregivers
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objective
The present study examined the effects of caregiving stress and ageing on neutrophil function in young and older individuals.
Design
As a model of caregiving, young parents (aged 38.3 ± 4.78) of children with developmental disabilities were recruited and compared to older caregivers (aged 70 ± 6.03), full time carers of a spouse with dementia. Age- and gender-matched controls were also assessed.
Methods
Participants completed a questionnaire pack assessing health behaviours, psychosocial status and caregiving characteristics, and provided a blood sample for assay of neutrophil function (phagocytosis of Escherichia coli and generation of reactive oxygen species to E. coli).
Results
Despite scoring poorly on the majority of psychological and caregiving variables, neutrophil function in caregivers was comparable to that in controls and was unexpectedly higher in older adults when compared to younger adults overall. However, those caregivers who reported higher psychological morbidity (depression, perceived stress, poor sleep quality), and more burdensome caregiving showed some evidence of poorer neutrophil phagocytic function.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of caregiving stress on neutrophil function in young and older participants simultaneously. Overall, neutrophil function was preserved in caregivers with neutrophil phagocytosis compromised only in those with the highest levels of distress. This suggests that, in future studies, more attention should be paid to individual differences among caregivers rather than caregiving status per se.
The present study examined the effects of caregiving stress and ageing on neutrophil function in young and older individuals.
Design
As a model of caregiving, young parents (aged 38.3 ± 4.78) of children with developmental disabilities were recruited and compared to older caregivers (aged 70 ± 6.03), full time carers of a spouse with dementia. Age- and gender-matched controls were also assessed.
Methods
Participants completed a questionnaire pack assessing health behaviours, psychosocial status and caregiving characteristics, and provided a blood sample for assay of neutrophil function (phagocytosis of Escherichia coli and generation of reactive oxygen species to E. coli).
Results
Despite scoring poorly on the majority of psychological and caregiving variables, neutrophil function in caregivers was comparable to that in controls and was unexpectedly higher in older adults when compared to younger adults overall. However, those caregivers who reported higher psychological morbidity (depression, perceived stress, poor sleep quality), and more burdensome caregiving showed some evidence of poorer neutrophil phagocytic function.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of caregiving stress on neutrophil function in young and older participants simultaneously. Overall, neutrophil function was preserved in caregivers with neutrophil phagocytosis compromised only in those with the highest levels of distress. This suggests that, in future studies, more attention should be paid to individual differences among caregivers rather than caregiving status per se.
Date Issued
2016-02-01
Date Acceptance
2015-07-17
Citation
British Journal of Health Psychology, 2016, 21 (1), pp.173-189
ISSN
1359-107X
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
173
End Page
189
Journal / Book Title
British Journal of Health Psychology
Volume
21
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2015 The British Psychological Society
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26285690
Subjects
ageing
ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE
caregiving
CHRONIC STRESS
DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES
IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A
INFLUENZA VACCINATION
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
LIFE EVENTS
LOW SECRETION RATES
neutrophils
POOR ANTIBODY-RESPONSE
Psychology
Psychology, Clinical
Social Sciences
SOCIAL SUPPORT
stress
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2015-08-19