Does helping others impair caregivers’ health? Associating caregiving, life satisfaction, and physical health

We examined whether or not negative caregiving orientations, namely hyperactivation and deactivation, impair physical health of caregivers through the mediating role of life satisfaction. A sample of Israeli adults (N = 354) completed self-report scales measuring caregiving, life satisfaction, and self-rated health (SRH). Caregiving hyperactivation and deactivation predicted reductions in both life satisfaction and SRH of caregivers. A mediation model suggested that the associations between negative caregiving orientations and physical health are significantly mediated by life satisfaction. The results are discussed in relation to the contribution of individuals’ interpersonal perceptions to their physical health.