Feeling unappreciated? The role of perceived appreciation on the psychological well-being of caregivers

Caregiving is a demanding role that can result in significant psychological strain. Many caregivers experience increased stress, depression, and other negative psychological outcomes due to the intensity and duration of their caregiving responsibilities. Guided by social exchange theory (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959) and the stress process model (Pearlin et al., 1990), this study examines perceived appreciation role as a psychological resource that can impact caregivers’ well-being and work as a positive caregiving environment. Further, we aim to provide insights into gender differences by examining caregiving intensity and perceived appreciation from the caregivers’ perspective. Using data from 2015 and 2017 waves of the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC), we analyzed responses from 3,061 informal caregivers (Mean age = 61.96 years) through moderating regression analysis. Findings indicated that high levels of perceived appreciation mitigate the negative effects of caregiving intensity on role overload while promoting mental health and self-realization. Notably, perceived appreciation promoted self-realization in male caregivers, whereas it more strongly buffered the negative effects of caregiving intensity on mental health and role overload among female caregivers. These results highlight the importance of fostering environments where caregivers feel valued and recognized, with particular attention to gender differences in psychological well-being and caregiving experiences.