Abstract: Social support is an important predictor of the health of a population. Few studies have
analyzed the influence of caregivers? personal networks from a gender perspective. The aim of this
study was to analyze the composition, structure, and function of informal caregiver support networks
and to examine gender differences. It also aimed to explore the association between different network
characteristics and self-perceived health among caregivers. We performed a social network analysis
study using a convenience sample of 25 female and 25 male caregivers. A descriptive analysis of
the caregivers and bivariate analyses for associations with self-perceived health were performed.
The structural metrics analyzed were density; degree centrality mean; betweenness centrality mean;
and number of cliques, components, and isolates. The variability observed in the structure of the
networks was not explained by gender. Some significant differences between men and women were
observed for network composition and function. Women received help mainly from women with a
similar profile to them. Men?s networks were broader and more diverse and they had more help from
outside family circles, although these outcomes were not statistically significant. Our results indicate
the need to develop strategies that do not reinforce traditional gender roles, but rather encourage a
greater sharing of responsibility among all parties.
