Caring takes place in different locations and involves different relationship types with the care recipient. Although these aspects appear to be important for health, they have only been loosely addressed in research. We used information on caring from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and distinguished between care provided to spouses, parents (in-law), children, other relatives or non-relatives. We investigated cross-sectional (n = 62.717) and longitudinal associations (n = 41.947) between mental health, assessed by the EURO-D depression scale, and caring. About 8% of men and 10% of women provided care inside (mostly for spouses) and 3% of men and 8% of women outside the household (mostly for parents). Caring for primary relatives was associated with increased depressive symptoms, particularly for females caring inside the household. Respondents providing care to their cohabiting spouse experienced an increase in depressive symptoms even in the long run (Men: Coef. 0.213, 95% CI 0.09-0.33; Women: Coef. 0.265, CI 0.15-0.38). The relationship type is one important aspect associated with carer mental health. More attention is needed on gender differences in caring, mental health of carers of primary relatives and long-term effects of spousal care inside the household.
Schaps et al. (Fri,) studied this question.