Le D.D.Dang T.N.H.Giang L.T.Mahidol University2024-06-252024-06-252024-01-01Research on Aging (2024)01640275https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/99019Background: Population aging is escalating globally, intensifying the demand for long-term care (LTC), primarily met by informal caregivers, notably spouses. Evidence from developed countries suggests potential adverse effects on caregivers’ well-being. Yet, research on this topic is scarce in developing nations. We investigate the effect of informal caregiving on older spousal caregivers’ health and well-being in Vietnam, a rapidly aging country with an early stage of LTC system development. Methods: Utilizing the national survey on aging in Vietnam with propensity score matching estimations to mitigate potential endogenous problems of the decision to provide care between caregivers and non-caregivers. Results: Findings showed caregiving increased poor psychological well-being, life dissatisfaction, and functional limitations by 7.3%, 9.7%, and 8.6%, respectively. The caregiving effects are heterogenous by demographic characteristics. Conclusions: We are the first to examine spousal caregiving in Vietnam, highlighting the urgency of addressing its negative impacts and suggesting several potential policy interventions.PsychologyMedicineSocial SciencesArticleSCOPUS10.1177/016402752412636222-s2.0-8519642844815527573