When it comes to mental health and well-being, home care aides are more susceptible to stress and depression due to their work environment, according to a new study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.
To compile the study, focus groups and interviews with home care aides were conducted between August 2022 and February 2023 in partnership with the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Fund.
Participants in the interviews and focus groups included caregivers with at least mild symptoms on either the 8-item Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale, the 4-item Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, or the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale.
A number of important findings emerged throughout the study, including the fact that personal and cultural factors influence how caregivers view their mental health.
“Some participants reported they were comfortable talking about their moods, but others reported that stigma surrounding mental health made this difficult,” the researchers wrote in their study. “One participant said, ‘Whenever someone mentions mental health, it crosses my mind that they might have a mental problem. My first thought is, ‘That person is crazy.’ I feel embarrassed and scared.” In general, personal responsibilities outside of work, such as caring for a family member, affected their mood.
Another important finding is that the relationship between the caregiver and the patient can affect the patient’s mood.
The survey noted that caring for patients who require services beyond the institution’s care plan is particularly challenging.
Conversely, building a meaningful relationship with the patient can be satisfying for the caregiver.
Structural and organisational aspects of work, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, were also found to be stressors that affected mood.
“Many people said that long working hours, long commutes, and inadequate compensation had a significant impact on their health,” the researchers wrote.
Additionally, some participants stated that they had experienced problems with home care agencies, such as poor communication and lack of information about patients, which led to increased stress.
The researchers also wanted to know how caregivers deal with stress and depression. They got a variety of answers.
“Many participants discussed breathing exercises, meditation, prayer, and physical activity,” the researchers wrote. “One participant explained, ‘The first thing I do is pray to God to give me the strength to keep going because this is not an easy struggle here.’ Other strategies participants reported included listening to music, watching television, playing games, reading, and taking classes. One participant said, ‘Sometimes I cry, I try to hide it, but then I try to calm down a bit. Sometimes I listen to music, I don’t know, it just entertains my mind.'”
Finally, many of the study participants called for programs to help them. Participants suggested that courses on mental health and wellness should be offered through unions and home care agencies.
Some suggested peer coaching might be a useful resource.
“The need for on-site support from other HHAs was
“Many physicians have difficulty discussing their professional experiences with their families,” the researchers wrote, “citing concerns about patient privacy and a desire to keep work and home life separate.”
