Sociodemographic Determinants of Psychological Distress Among Adult Informal Caregivers.

Background and objective Providing care for a loved one with a chronic illness or disability can be mentally and emotionally challenging. Determining the factors that contribute to psychological distress among informal caregivers can be important in developing effective interventions to support this vulnerable population. This study aimed to examine the sociodemographic determinants of psychological distress among adult informal caregivers in the United States. Research design and method Secondary data analysis using the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey was conducted. A total of 807 informal caregivers were included in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, caregiving conditions, and caregivers' relationship to care recipients were assessed. Psychological distress was measured using Patient Health Questionnaire 4. Weighted multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between sociodemographic factors and psychological distress. Results The prevalence of psychological distress was 40%. The average age of the sample was 56 years with most caregivers being female and non-Hispanic White. Older age was associated with lower odds of distress (OR=0.974, 95% CI: 0.949-0.999). Female caregivers had higher odds of distress compared to males (OR=1.922, 95% CI: 1.023-3.612), and caregivers with household incomes of $75,000 or more had significantly lower odds of distress compared to those with incomes below $35,000 (OR=0.266, 95% CI: 0.119-0.595). Race/ethnicity and educational level did not show significant associations with caregiver distress. Conclusion Younger age, female birth gender, and lower household income were associated with higher odds of distress among informal caregivers. These findings can inform the development of targeted interventions to support caregivers' mental health.