Time Effects of Informal Caregiving on Cognitive Function and Well-Being: Evidence From ELSA
Abstract
Background and objectives As informal caregiving becomes prevalent, its consequences for caregivers' cognitive and socioemotional functioning gain more importance for society. There are inconsistent findings regarding the direction of the impact of caregiving-whether caregiving maintains or compromises functioning-and the impact of time-whether the effects accumulate or are stable. In this study, we elucidated 3 time effects of caregiving-concurrent, cumulative, and lagged effects-on cognitive and socioemotional functioning. Research design and methods We used data from Wave 1 (2002-2003) to Wave 8 (2016-2017) in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and latent growth curve models with the time-varying predictor to investigate 3 time effects of caregiving on cognitive function (memory and executive function) and well-being (life satisfaction and quality of life). Results Over and beyond age effects, current caregiving (concurrent effect) was related to worse well-being and better delayed recall. Little robust cumulative effect was found on cognition and well-being. In addition, there were significant and differential lagged effects of caregiving after controlling for concurrent and cumulative effects; that is, caregiving was related to worse well-being and better memory functioning 2-4 years later. Discussion and implications The differential concurrent and lagged effects of caregiving on cognitive and socioemotional functioning suggest separate mechanisms for diffe…
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
FSC may buffer the cumulative effects of long-term caregiving but not the immediate burden of high caregiving intensity and challenging behavior.
“Thus, FSC may buffer the cumulative effects of long-term caregiving (Yuan & Grühn, Citation2020), but not the immediate burden of high caregiving intensity and challenging behavior, which may be more influenced by DCS and DAD.”
From How do care-related beliefs contribute to depression and anxiety in family caregivers of people with dementia? Testing a cognitive vulnerability-stress model. (2025) · cites this paper as Yuan & Grühn, 2020
Cites
The satisfaction with life scale
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13 · Cited by 31,768 · see citing works
Caregiving and the stress process: an overview of concepts and their measures
Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T., Semple, S. J., & Skaff, M. M. (1990) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/30.5.583 · Cited by 4,810 · see citing works
What is cognitive reserve? Theory and research application of the reserve concept
STERN, Y. (2002) · Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society · doi:10.1017/s1355617702813248 · Cited by 3,951 · see citing works
Pinquart, M., & Sörensen, S. (2003) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.18.2.250 · Cited by 2,857 · see citing works
Adaptation-level theory : an experimental and systematic approach to behavior
Helson, H. (1964) · Harper & Row eBooks · Cited by 1,249 · see citing works
Correlates of Physical Health of Informal Caregivers: A Meta-Analysis
Pinquart, M., & Sörensen, S. (2007) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/62.2.p126 · Cited by 1,132 · see citing works
Hyde, M., Wiggins, R. D., HIGGS, P. F. D., & Blane, D. (2003) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/1360786031000101157 · Cited by 1,029 · see citing works
Cognitive Reserve and Lifestyle
Scarmeas, N., & Stern, Y. (2003) · Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology · doi:10.1076/jcen.25.5.625.14576 · Cited by 869 · see citing works
Chronic stress, cognitive functioning and mental health
Marin, M.-F., Lord, C., Andrews, J., Juster, R.-P., Sindi, S., Arsenault-Lapierre, G., Fiocco, A. J., & Lupien, S. J. (2011) · Neurobiology of Learning and Memory · doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2011.02.016 · Cited by 654 · see citing works
Carer distress: A prospective, population-based study
Hirst, M. A. (2005) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.01.001 · Cited by 367 · see citing works
Caring for Mom and Neglecting Yourself? The Health Effects of Caring for an Elderly Parent
Coe, N. B., & Houtven, C. H. V. (2008) · Health Economics · doi:10.1002/hec.1512 · Cited by 311 · see citing works
Physiological and functional consequences of caregiving for relatives with dementia
Fonareva, I., & Oken, B. S. (2014) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610214000039 · Cited by 249 · see citing works
Longitudinal impact of interhousehold caregiving on adult children's mental health.
Townsend, A. L., Noelker, L. S., Deimling, G. T., & Bass, D. M. (1989) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037//0882-7974.4.4.393 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Two Transitions in Daughters' Caregiving Careers
Lawton, M. P., Moss, M. S., Hoffman, C. J., & Perkinson, M. A. (2000) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/40.4.437 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Caregiving and Cognitive Function in Older Women
Bertrand, R. M., Saczynski, J. S., Mezzacappa, C., Hulse, M., Ensrud, K. E., & Fredman, L. (2011) · Journal of Aging and Health · doi:10.1177/0898264311421367 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Depression and quality of informal care: A longitudinal investigation of caregiving stressors.
Smith, G. R., Williamson, G. M., Miller, L. S., & Schulz, R. (2011) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0022263 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
Dassel, K. B., Carr, D. C., & Vitaliano, P. (2017) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnv148 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Stress-Related Cognitive Dysfunction in Dementia Caregivers
Oken, B., Chamine, I., & Wahbeh, H. (2011) · Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology · doi:10.1177/0891988711422524 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Bowling, N. A. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_25 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Lacey, R. E., McMunn, A., & Webb, E. A. (2018) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291718002222 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
The Impact of Parent Care on Marital Quality and Well-Being in Adult Daughters and Sons
Bookwala, J. (2009) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp018 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Fredman, L., Cauley, J., Satterfield, S., Simonsick, E., Spencer, S., Ayonayon, H., & Harris, T. (2008) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinte.168.19.2154 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Does Caregiving Stress Affect Cognitive Function in Older Women?
Lee, S., Kawachi, I. I., & Grodstein, F. (2003) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/01.nmd.0000106000.02232.30 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Lyons, J. G., Cauley, J. A., & Fredman, L. (2015) · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · doi:10.1093/gerona/glv001 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Objective and Subjective Cognitive Problems among Caregivers and Matched Non-caregivers
Vitaliano, P. P., Ustundag, O., & Borson, S. (2017) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnv690 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Adult Child Caregiver Health Trajectories and the Impact of Multiple Roles Over Time
Barnett, A. E. (2014) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/0164027514527834 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Neuropsychological consequences of chronic stress: the case of informal caregivers
Romero‐Martínez, Á., Hidalgo-Moreno, G., & Moya‐Albiol, L. (2018) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1537360 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Jun, H. J. (2014) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/0164027514545239 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Zwar, L., König, H., & Hajek, A. (2018) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.07.048 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Ihle, A., Gouveia, É. R., de Gouveia, B. R. F. O., Freitas, D. L., Jurema, J., Tinôco, M. A., & Kliegel, M. (2017) · Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders · doi:10.1159/000477846 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
O’Sullivan, M., Brennan, S., LAWLOR, B. A., Hannigan, C., Robertson, I. H., & Pertl, M. M. (2018) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1428937 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Family Caregiving for Cognitively or Physically Frail Older Adults
Knight, B. G., & Losada, A. (2010) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-380882-0.00023-1 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Kirvalidze, M., Abbadi, A., Dahlberg, L., Sacco, L., Morin, L., & Calderón‐Larrañaga, A. (2023) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068646 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Su, Q. F. (2023) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbad090 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Deterioration of health-related quality of life: the hidden health burden of informal caregiving
Keramat, S. A., Sarker, P. M., Comans, T. A., Brooks, D., & Dissanayaka, N. N. (2025) · The European Journal of Health Economics · doi:10.1007/s10198-025-01776-5 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
The role of caregiving in cognitive function and change: The REGARDS study.
Elayoubi, J., Nelson, M. E., Mu, C., Haley, W. E., Wadley, V. G., Clay, O. J., Crowe, M. G., Cushman, M., Grant, J. S., Roth, D. L., et al. (2023) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/pag0000766 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Shi, J., Jiang, C., & Zhao, Q. (2024) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102685 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Chavan, P. P., Weitlauf, J. C., LaMonte, M. J., Sisto, S. A., Tomita, M., Gallagher-Thompson, D. E., Shadyab, A. H., Bidwell, J. T., Manson, J. E., Kroenke, C. H., et al. (2023) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/jgs.18620 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Wrede, N., Töpfer, N. F., Risch, A. K., & Wilz, G. (2025) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2024.2386079 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Thus, FSC may buffer the cumulative effects of long-term caregiving (Yuan & Grühn, 2020), but not the immediate burden of high caregiving intensity and challenging behavior, which may be more influenced by DCS and DAD.”
Does time heal all wounds? An investigation of time, grief, and attitudes toward death
Reynolds, C. M., & Grühn, D. (2023) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2023.2297065 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citationSpousal Caregiving Types and Cognitive Trajectories Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China
Guo, Y., Zhang, Z., & Jiang, Q. (2025) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/01640275251317544 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Zhang, Y., Gong, J., Tang, T., & Li, T. (2025) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x24000795 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Stowell, M., Spiers, G., Kunonga, P., Beyer, F. R., Richmond, C., Craig, D., & Hanratty, B. (2024) · Journal of Long-Term Care · doi:10.31389/jltc.207 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Ke, J., & Sun, F. (2025) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnaf131 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Spousal Education and Memory Decline: Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Aging
Liu, H., Wang, J., & Zhang, W. (2025) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnaf057 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Impact of Aspects of Caregiving on Caregiver Mental Health
Hirsch, J., & Woodward, A. T. (2025) · Activities Adaptation & Aging · doi:10.1080/01924788.2025.2510756 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Elayoubi, J., Haley, W. E., Walters, M. E., Roth, D. L., Howard, V. J., Crowe, M. G., & Hülür, G. (2025) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbaf141 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Su, Q. F., & Cheng, C. (2025) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.70176 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Unpaid caregiving across the lifespan and health outcomes in later life
Chin, J. A., & Lin, I. (2025) · Advances in Life Course Research · doi:10.1016/j.alcr.2025.100722 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Lifespan caregiving profiles in the United States
Chin, J. A., & Lin, I. (2025) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbaf264 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Chen, L., & Ma, S. (2026) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbag027 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The impact of unpaid caring on cognitive function: a rapid review
Walbaum, M., Zucker, A., Brimblecombe, N., & Knapp, M. R. J. (2025) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2025.2499692 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Tattarini, G., Uccheddu, D., & Bertogg, A. (2025) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kwaf194 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Yang, W., Gao, Y., Zhu, M., Sun, L. N., & Wang, Y. (2025) · Journal of Alzheimer s Disease · doi:10.1177/13872877251393730
Mashevich, K., Bei, E., Galin-Soibelman, S., Kalter-Leibovich, O., Schifter, T., & Vilchinsky, N. (2025) · Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings · doi:10.1007/s10880-025-10110-3
Zhu, Y., Sampson, L., Farmer, J. G., Jha, S. C., Basu, A., Koenen, K. C., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2026) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbag036
- Authors
- Yuan, J., & Grühn, D.
- Affiliations
- North Carolina State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Yuan, Jing
- Venue
- The Gerontologist
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2020-08-25
- Volume
- 61
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 341-351
- ISSN
- 0016-9013 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-5341
- OpenAlex
- W3080098987
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5
- FWCI
- 1.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model (vor)
- Locations
- The Gerontologist (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
- Keywords
- informal care, caregiver well-being, lagged effects, cumulative effects, memory, executive function, life satisfaction, quality of life, delayed recall, English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, older adults
- MeSH terms
- Aging, Cognition, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Quality of Life, Caregivers
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
