Social Determinants of Health are Associated with Coping of Informal Caregivers of Adults with Heart Failure

We explored the influence of social determinants of health (SDH) risk on stress and coping style in heart failure (HF) caregivers. In this cross-sectional study, data from 250 caregivers were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the extent to which SDH risk (measured using a modified PRAPARE tool (National Association of Community Health Centers), range 0–22) predicted stress (Perceived Stress Scale, 0–56) and coping style (active (0–45), avoidance (0–30), and minimization (0–30)) while accounting for caregiver burden (HF Caregiver Questionnaire (HF-CQ) 0–100). Multivariable regression analysis with backwards elimination variable selection approach was used to identify which SDH risk factors best predicted coping styles. SDH risk was significantly associated with avoidance and minimization coping styles. Each unit increase in SDH risk was associated with an increase of 0.6 ± 0.2 units ( p = .0008) in avoidance and 0.7 ± 0.2 units ( p < .0001) in minimization coping style. Race and “supporting others” significantly predicted avoidance coping style; scores were 3.3 ± 0.8 units greater for caregivers who were not White ( p < .0001) and 1.4 ± 0.5 units greater ( p < .01) for each additional person whom they supported. Race significantly predicted minimization coping style; scores were 4.4 ± 0.7 units greater for caregivers who were not White ( p < .0001). Caregivers with higher SDH risk may avoid and minimize to cope with caregiving challenges.