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THE ASSOCIATIONS between physical and psychological health and being an informal caregiver are well established (Pinquart, 2001; Pinquart & Sorensen, 2003a, 2003b, 2006, 2007; Schulz et al., 1995; Vitaliano et al., 2003). In this article, caregiving denotes care that is provided by a family member or friend rather than by a professional who is reimbursed for services.

Clinical observation and early empirical research showed that assuming a caregiving role can be stressful and burdensome (Biegel et al., 1991; Haley et al., 1987). Caregiving has all the features of a chronic stress experience: It creates physical and psychological strain over extended periods of time, is accompanied by high levels of unpredictability and uncontrollability, has the capacity to create secondary stress in multiple life domains such as work and family relationships, and frequently requires high levels of vigilance. Caregiving fits the …