Abstract:

Informal caregivers, while undertaking substantial caregiving responsibilities, also face significant health challenges. Using the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we examined the impact of informal elderly caregiving on caregivers' cognitive function. We found that: First, compared to non-caregivers, providing informal elderly care significantly reduced caregivers' cognitive function. Moreover, both low-intensity and high-intensity caregiving had negative effects on caregivers' cognitive function, with higher-intensity caregiving having a greater negative impact. Furthermore, moderate-intensity caregiving had a positive effect on caregivers' cognitive function. In addition, mental health is a critical influencing mechanism. Moderate caregiving intensity mitigates depression and enhances life satisfaction, thereby positively affecting cognitive function; conversely, excessively high or low caregiving intensity can exacerbate depressive symptoms and reduce life satisfaction, leading to negative impacts on cognitive function. Finally, compared to male caregivers, urban caregivers, and retired caregivers, providing informal elderly care has a greater negative impact on cognitive function for female caregivers, rural caregivers, and non-retired caregivers.

Key words:

elderly caregiving, informal caregivers, cognitive function