Table 1.

Caregiver burden domains and corresponding NSOC questions

Social Strain

In the last month, did helping [SP] ever …  • Keep you from visiting in person with friends or family not living with you?  • Keep you from religious services?  • Keep you from participating in club meetings or group activities?  • Keep you from going out for enjoyment?  • Keep you from working for pay?  • Keep you from doing volunteer work?  • Keep you from providing care for a child or other adult?

Negative Emotional Burden

Thinking about the last month, how often did you … .  • Feel bored?  • Feel lonely?  • Feel upset?

Over the last month, how often have you … .  • Had little interest or pleasure in doing things?  • Felt down, depressed, or hopeless?  • Felt nervous, anxious, or on edge?  • Been unable to stop or control worrying?

• I gave up trying to improve my life a long time ago.  • I often feel lonely because I have few close friends.

• How much does [SP] argue with you?  • How often does [SP] get on nervous?  • Helping older relatives can be difficult. Is helping [SP] emotionally difficult for you?

Positive Emotional Benefit

• My life has meaning and purpose.  • In general, I feel confident and good about myself  • I like my living situation very much.  • I have an easy time adjusting to changes.  • I get over (recover from) illness and hardship quickly.

Thinking about the last month, how often did you …  • Feel cheerful?  • Feel calm and peaceful?  • Feel full of life?

• How much do you enjoy being with [SP]?  • How much does [SP] appreciate what you do for them?

• Helping [SP] has made you more confident about your abilities.  • Helping [SP] has taught you how to deal difficult situations.  • Helping [SP] has brought you closer to them.  • Helping [SP] gives you satisfaction that they are well cared for.

[SP] NHATS sample person