When Sons and Daughters Care for a Parent An Analysis of Gender Differences

This study examines gender differences in offspring primary caregivers. We compared baseline data from 26 caregiving sons and 244 caregiving daughters. Caregiving sons had higher incomes, were less likely to be married, and provided care to parents less limited in their cognitive functions and instrumental activities of daily living. Daughters matched via propensity score matching to the sons regarding these variables did not differ significantly in coping and most other outcomes, though daughters did show more depressive symptoms and perceived fewer positive aspects of caregiving. This suggests that, although caregiving sons and daughters might differ in demographic variables as well as in caregiving intensity and stressors, they cope with caregiving similarly when the caregiving situation is comparable.