Association between perceived social support and better cognitive performance among caregivers and non-caregivers

• Autor(a) principal: Pavarini,Sofia Cristina Iost
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Ottaviani,Ana Carolina, Bregola,Allan Gustavo, Fraga,Francisco J., Chagas,Marcos Hortes Nisihara, Oliveira,Nathalia Alves de, Brito,Tábatta Renata Pereira de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-71672021000900204
• topic: Aged; Caregivers; Cognition; Social Support; Geriatric Nursing

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the association between the characteristics of the support network and cognitive performance of older caregivers and compare characteristics between caregivers and non-caregivers. Methods: we evaluated 85 older caregivers and 84 older non-caregivers registered with primary care units regarding sociodemographic characteristics, cognition, and social support. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Results: among non-caregivers, significant associations were found between a better cognitive performance and receiving emotional/affectionate support; each one-point increase in the emotional support score and affectionate support score was related to a 0.43-point and 0.39-point increase in cognitive assessment, respectively. Among older caregivers, each one-point increase in the emotional support score was related to a 0.55-point increase in cognitive assessment. Conclusion: strengthening the support networks of older caregivers and encouraging satisfactory exchanges of social support can assist in improving cognitive performance, which can have a positive impact on caregivers’ health.