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Background: Two out of three family caregivers are female. However, current trends show that men are more likely to undertake caregiving duties, yet female caregivers report a higher burden. This paper analyzed data from long-term family caregivers to determine whether, under similar circumstances, gender differences in caregiving persist. We examined whether the observed gender gap affects caregivers' satisfaction with their health and quality of life., Methods: We analyze cross-sectional data from family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Switzerland. The data provides comprehensive information about the time and type of weekly tasks family caregivers undertake. To determine differences in caregiving related to gender, we balanced the characteristics of the caregiver and the cared-for person using a propensity score kernel matching. With the balanced sample, we estimated how the observed differences in caregiving varied across cohorts using a Poisson regression., Results: Under similar circumstances, male and female caregivers invest similar time in caregiving. This result holds for 21 caregiving tasks, except for household chores, where women spent, on average, four more hours per week than male caregivers. Despite these differences, female caregivers report a quality of life and satisfaction with their health that is similar to that of male caregivers., Conclusion: Gender differences in caregiving narrow over time, except for household chores, where female caregivers continue to spend significantly more hours than male caregivers. Measures designed for family caregivers must consider these gender differences, as the support needs of female caregivers can differ greatly from those of male caregivers., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To identify the coping strategies used by family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Switzerland in order to develop tailored support programs., Materials and Methods: Purposive sample of >18 years participants, speaking an official Swiss language fluently, being family caregivers of persons with SCI for at least 4 years, and perceiving either a high or low burden in relation to caregiving. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews ( N  = 22). Thematic analysis was performed., Results: Four main coping strategies were identified: reappraisal, active acceptance, setting limits to the caregiver role, and seeking support. These strategies can be used one at a time or combined, and at different times of a caregiver pathway. Our analysis highlighted that caregivers need skills to implement these strategies (e.g., self-evaluation skills)., Conclusions: Caregivers of persons with SCI develop cognitive coping strategies to make sense of the situation and establish a "new normal" and problem-focused coping strategies to deal with their new tasks and role. These strategies do not seem to be typical only of SCI caregivers. Hence, interventions that worked for caregivers in other fields could be adapted. Rehabilitation centers should systematically integrate programs targeted to caregivers into their offerings.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONHealthcare systems need to develop educational and support measures for both persons with a health condition and their caregivers.Caregivers should become long-term partners in rehabilitation and a regular and structured needs assessment should be offered.Interventions that worked for caregivers in other fields can be adapted to support also caregivers in SCI.Educational and support programs dedicated to caregivers should teach not only how to perform caregiving tasks but also how to balance between responding to the care recipient's needs and their own needs.

Objective: To describe the living situation of family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury., Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire., Subjects: Primary family caregivers of persons with chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland., Methods: Cross-sectional study of family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury. For comparison, the study population was matched to family care-givers of persons dealing with long-term health conditions in the general population, using a propensity-score based algorithm., Results: A total of 717 family caregivers participat-ed in the survey (35% response rate). Participants were mostly female (72%), mean age 57 years, and had spent approximately 13 years caring for their relative. A mean of 21 h/week was spent providing care and assistance. The vast majority of family care-givers reported coping well with their situation. However, support from public services was deemed inadequate. Compared with family caregivers in the general population, family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury performed more caring tasks and reported a slightly lower quality of life., Conclusion: Family caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury are self-reliant to cope with their situation, but report discontent with public support ser-vices. The healthcare system could provide alternative support measures, such as direct financial compensation.

Objective: To examine the information seeking behavior and health literacy of caregivers of individuals living with spinal cord injury in Switzerland and their impact on the caregiving experience., Methods: Nationwide survey of family caregivers of people with spinal cord injury (N = 717). Caregivers aged 18+ who assisted with activities of daily living were included. Self-reported information seeking behavior, including topics, preferred sources, and health literacy were assessed and analyzed., Results: Health professionals were the most trusted source of information. Among information-seekers, higher health literacy levels were shown to be associated with lower subjective caregiver burden and, in turn, with higher caregivers' satisfaction with own health., Conclusion: Caregivers use information on different topics and coming from different sources. In order for information to improve the caregiving experience, however, caregivers need health literacy skills to make sense of it., Practice Implications: Building health literacy is a promising approach to support caregivers in their activities, reduce their subjective burden, and even to improve their health. Interventions should consider involving health professionals, as the most trusted source of information, and address both health-related and more practical issues., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)