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{State of health and social support networks of natural female caregivers of mentally ill persons}.

Studies of the health and family situation of natural caregivers of the mentally ill do not indicate the gender of the principal caregiver. Consequently, they do not provide details about the health or the social support networks of women, who, in general, are the ones who assume the caregiving role. The purpose of this study of 61 female natural caregivers living with mentally ill patients was to describe the state of health of these natural caregivers as well as their social support from both neighbours and professionals. Another purpose was to verify the existence of relationships among these variables. Four health variables are studied: emotional distress, well-being, perception of general health, and number of health problems. Support from both neighbours and professionals is examined from the point of view of the caregivers' needs and the satisfaction felt by the caregivers, and according to several functions of social support. Descriptive analyses show that at least half of the natural caregivers suffer from emotional distress, diminished well-being, and various health problems. When support from neighbours is considered, the caregivers express numerous needs; two thirds of the caregivers declare themselves satisfied except in regard to their need to socialize. Regarding professional support, caregivers express fewer needs and seem less satisfied by the support received. Regression analyses demonstrate that two of the four predictors of neighbour support contribute significantly, though modestly, to the variations of emotional distress; one of those predictors also contributes to variations in the perception of general health. No significant relation was found for professional support. Recommendations are made for future research and for preventive interventions with women who are natural caregivers.