Native Hawaiian Male Caregivers: Patterns of Service Use and Their Effects on Public Policies

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast the effects of caregiving for Native Hawaiian males, as compared to Asian and Caucasian males, and to determine how these differences affect service use patterns and opinions on government policies. Using a survey instrument adapted from a national data collection effort, data were collected from a probability sample of 600 caregivers in Hawai‘i, of which 155 were male. Analysis was limited to the 148 male caregivers with ethnicity data: Native Hawaiians (N=36), Caucasians (N=50), and Asians (N=62). Findings indicate that of the three groups studied, Native Hawaiians were the least burdened by caregiving. They were most likely to use training services and transportation, but did not generally use formal services because services were either unavailable or cost too much. Native Hawaiians were also most likely to express the need for overnight respite, tax relief, and paid family leave. The findings highlight the importance of gender and culture in the way caregiving services and policies are offered.