Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    The impact of carer status on participation in healthy activity and self-reported health among Australian women over 50 years

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Farrugia, T.
    Hewitt, A.
    Bourke-Taylor, H.
    Joosten, Annette
    Date
    2019
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Farrugia, T. and Hewitt, A. and Bourke-Taylor, H. and Joosten, A. 2019. The impact of carer status on participation in healthy activity and self-reported health among Australian women over 50 years. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal. 66 (1): pp. 23-32.
    Source Title
    Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
    DOI
    10.1111/1440-1630.12491
    ISSN
    0045-0766
    School
    School of Occ Therapy, Social Work and Speech Path
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/74476
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Occupational Therapy Australia Background/aim: Occupational therapists frequently work with carers and their family member who requires direct services. In Australia, women provide the majority of informal care. Carer status is determined by the provision of informal help or supervision to an older person, or a person with a disability or long-term health condition. Caregiving responsibilities can impact mental and physical health and reduce women's participation in leisure activities and the labour force. The aim of the study was to examine differences in the participation of Australian women, aged 50 years and over, with and without caregiving responsibilities, in self-selected health promoting activities, self-reported mental health and participation in physical activity. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated Australian women (N = 157) who completed a survey comprising demographic questions, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Health Promoting Activities Scale (HPAS). Differences between carers and non-carers in participation in health promoting activities, mental health, physical activity and labour force participation were investigated using Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: Carers reported significantly lower participation in health promoting activities (P < 0.001), vigorous physical activity (P = 0.001) and moderate physical activity (P = 0.009). Carers also reported significantly higher responses than non-carers, in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress (P < 0.001). Carers were significantly more likely than non-carers to be engaged in part-time employment, with 37% of carers employed part-time and 44% of carers not working. Conclusion: These findings indicate significant differences between women with and without caregiving responsibilities and their participation in health promoting activities, self-reported mental health, participation in physical activity and the labour force. Carers may benefit from occupational therapy that recognises the important role of carers in the life of their family member and supports carer's health and participation in health promoting activities.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Sexual function of women during the first year after childbirth: Effect of parity (giving birth after the 20th week of pregnancy), depression and relationship satisfaction
      Khajehei, Marjan (2013)
      The aim of the present study was to measure the effect of parity, relationship satisfaction and depression on the sexual function of postpartum women during the first year after childbirth. This was a cross-sectional ...
    • The effects of health promotion on girls' and young womens' health behaviours
      Mitchell, Helen (2006)
      This formative research examines the effects of health promotion on girls' and young women's health behaviours. Health promotion campaigns targeting women have previously had variable success. Some have been criticised ...
    • The effects of health promotion on girls' and young women's health behaviours
      Mitchell, Helen; Shoebridge, Andrea; Howat, Peter; Cross, Donna; O'Farrell, I. (2007)
      This formative research examines the effects of health promotion on girls' and young women's health behaviours. Health promotion campaigns targeting women have previously had variable success. Some have been criticised ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.