Wife caregivers' and supportive others' perceptions of the caregivers' health and social support.

Perceptions of health and social support held by 75 wives caring for their mentally impaired husbands at home were compared with those of 75 supportive others, that is, secondary caregivers. Ratings by the two groups were significantly correlated, suggesting that the reports of wife caregivers may be considered valid. Supportive others rated physical help received by wife caregivers significantly higher than did the caregivers. Nondepressed caregivers perceived themselves to be significantly healthier than their supportive others perceived them. Depressed caregivers reported larger social networks than did their supportive others. Findings point to the importance of gaining the perspectives of both primary and secondary caregivers in order to understand the total reality of the caregiving situation.