The influence of caregiving and employment on the voluntary activities of midlife and older women

One factor thought to contribute to higher levels of stress among caregivers is the restriction on personal time and leisure activities that they feel. We use data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) to examine the influences that caregiving, the relationship of the care-recipient with the caregiver, and the intensity of the caregiving have on women's participation in personal, family-centered, and community activities. We find that caregiving, regardless of age, does not reduce the frequency of participation in voluntary activities. In fact, among younger women, some types of caregiving are associated with significantly higher levels of participation. Based on our results, we conclude that caregiving does not necessarily result in a ''loss of self.'' Caregivers may be using outside activities as a way to relieve the stress of the caregiving tasks; caregivers may be particularly adept at balancing roles, or most caregiving may not be at a level of intensity sufficient to interfere with other activities.