Stress in caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: the role of support.

Abstract

Caregivers of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) experience high rates of stress, which leads to difficulties for both caregivers and care receivers. A relationship was found between caregiver stress and unmet needs for support or services. This study used the General Social Survey: Caregiving and Care Receiving to explore caregiver service needs, service access and relationship between services and stress. Results from this study found an increase in caregiver stress was related to an increased need for services. Caregiver stress was increased in people who received formal support services and was decreased in people who had informal support. Caregivers who received funding were more likely to report they were stressed. Compared to formal support and demographic factors, caregivers who received informal support were 2.85 times more likely to report not experiencing stress related to caregiving duties.