The Association Between Membership in the Sandwich Generation and Health Behaviors: A Longitudinal Study

Overview

Journal J Appl Dev Psychol

Date 2010 Feb 18

PMID 20161605

Citations 30

Authors

Laurie Chassin

Jon T Macy

Dong-Chul Seo

Clark C Presson

Steven J Sherman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The current study examined the association between membership in the sandwich generation, defined as providing care to both children and parents or in-laws, and five health behaviors: checking the food label for health value when buying foods, using a seat belt, choosing foods based on health value, exercising regularly, and cigarette smoking. Participants (N=4943) were from a longitudinal study of a midwestern community-based sample. Regression analyses tested the unique effect of sandwich generation membership on health behaviors above and beyond demographic factors and prior levels of the same behavior. Compared to other caregivers and noncaregivers, multigenerational caregivers were less likely to check food labels and to choose foods based on health values. Multigenerational caregivers were less likely than noncaregivers and those who cared for children only to use seat belts, and they smoked marginally more cigarettes per day than those groups. Multigenerational caregivers were less likely than noncaregivers and those who cared for parents/in-laws only to exercise regularly. Thus, in general, healthy behaviors were diminished for multigenerational caregivers.

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