An integrative review of the social determinants of mental health among older caregivers

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the reported social determinants of mental health among older caregivers in the previous caregiving literature.

Design: An integrative literature review method of Whittemore and Knafl.

Methods: CINAHL, MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, and Science Direct were searched from January 1999 to December 2019. A systematic approach and data analysis were used. The evidence of a multilevel framework by the World Health Organization was used to examine the social determinants of mental health.

Results: Twelve articles were included. "Levels of physical health" was mainly cited factor linked to mental health inequalities among older caregivers. However, the evidence regarding caregivers' gender-related, ethnic and socioeconomic differences in mental health was relatively limited.

Conclusion: Future research and screening programs on social determinants of mental health among older caregivers are necessary to tackle mental health inequalities. Implications informed by this research could sustain mental health equity among older caregivers.

Keywords: caregivers; older adults; social determinants of health.