Burden, quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among caregivers of hemodialysis patients: The role of social support

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine how burden and quality of life predict anxiety and depressive symptoms among caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Social support was included in the model as a proposed moderator in the above relationships. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 340 caregivers of chronic kidney patients undergoing hemodialysis. The setting was in Terengganu, Malaysia. The caregivers completed the measures of caregiving burden, quality of life, social support, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results About 28.8% and 52.4% of caregivers showed clinically moderate levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Furthermore, 35.9% and 3.8% of them showed clinically high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Analyses showed that general quality of life was a significant predictor of both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Burden and psychological domains of quality of life significantly predicted anxiety. In addition, a lack of social support was a determinant of depressive symptoms. Evidence suggested that social support moderated the burden–anxiety relationship. Specifically, caregivers with low levels of social support showed more elevated levels of anxiety symptoms when their burden was higher. Conclusion There is an urgent need for early detection to initiate prompt treatment in this population. The study provides some important insights into offering comprehensive intervention to help caregivers cope more effectively through the provision of sufficient social support to buffer the effects of caregiving burden and improve mental health.

Coexisting with the Life of Patients with Hemodialysis: Qualitative Meta-Synthesis Study of Life of Caregivers of Patients with Hemodialysis

“…Caregivers neglect their health and do not engage in leisure activities, leading to a deterioration in their quality of life. A previous study found that caregivers caring for HD patients developed various physical health problems [ 33 ], indicating a deterioration in the quality of life of caregivers; this finding has been supported by the previous studies [ 34 ]. Based on these problems, we need to recognize the need for caregivers’ independent lives; numerous efforts will be needed to enable caregivers to live their own lives.…”

Depression Associated with Caregiver Quality of Life in Post-COVID-19 Patients in Two Regions of Peru

“…Regarding depression, our study found that 86.4% of caregivers had low depression. Several studies show that caregivers of patients have high percentages of mild to moderate depression [ 39 , 40 ]. In addition, the study found that the higher the level of depression, the poorer the caregiver’s quality of life.…”

Impact of Caregiving Burden on Quality of Life of Caregivers of COPD Patients: The Chain Mediating Role of Social Support and Negative Coping Styles

“…Social support is often considered a protective factor in reducing caregiver burden and improving their quality of life. 14 Existing research points out that fewer caregivers of COPD patients perceive adequate social support and that their level of social support utilization is not high. 15 Perceived social support refers to the degree to which individuals perceive the evaluation and expectations of the full range of social support they receive.…”

“…18 Perceived social support is also effective in negatively predicting caregiver burden. 14 It has also been suggested that the level of social support is an important predictor of caregiver quality of life, and the higher the level of perceived social support, the higher the level of quality of life of the individual. 19 Caregivers who respond negatively when providing care to patients may create a vicious cycle effect with their poor mental health status.…”