Older adults who care for dependents experience more depressive symptoms, with a higher risk among women, according to a study.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Centro Nacional de Epidemiología (CNE) of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III reveals that older individuals who care for dependent family members at home experience significantly more depressive symptoms compared to their non-caregiving peers. The research highlights that this mental health risk is particularly pronounced among women engaged in these caregiving roles.

The findings underscore the psychological toll placed on informal caregivers within domestic settings. By identifying a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in this demographic, the study points to the specific vulnerabilities faced by older caregivers and emphasizes a gender-based disparity in the distribution of this emotional burden.