The “healthy dyad” bias in veteran-caregiver dyadic research: a methodological caution

Innovation and Translational Significance: Caregivers are critical to supporting individuals with complex medical conditions and disabilities, bringing caregiving to the forefront of research, policy, and health initiatives. Incorporating perspectives of both caregivers and the patients they support through dyadic research provides a more comprehensive view of the interdependent dynamics within relationships. This study highlights a potential “healthy dyad” bias that systematically underrepresents caregivers who are experiencing higher caregiver burden and lower mental health and social well-being. Future studies should critically consider how caregiver-care recipient dyads are recruited and the generalizability of those findings to caregivers, patients, and other populations.