Focused on the Characteristics of Gender Differences in Sense of Coherence (SOC) among Family Caregivers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess SOC (Sense of Coherence) among male and female family caregivers who provide care to their family members at home and to find the directions of support based on the characteristics of gender differences in the caregivers. Postal self-completion questionnaires were conducted from September 14 to October 30 in 2012. The Japanese version of SOC-13 scale was used to evaluate SOC. We requested a total of 326 facilities of Community General Support Center and Home Care Support Services in Ishikawa Prefecture to deliver the questionnaires to male and female caregivers. 414 out of 633 male caregivers (65.4% response rate) and 658 out of 727 female caregivers (90.5% response rate) answered the questionnaires. As a result, for the scores of the manageability scale, men exceeded women. Men in the non-healthy group had a stronger sense of manageability. It is important for elder men aged over 65 to strengthen their sense of meaningfulness by making them aware of the reconstruction of their lives.