Caregiver burden and its associated factors among family caregivers of persons with dementia in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the level of caregiver burden and factors associated with it among family caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) living in communities of Shanghai, China.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingCommunities in Hongkou District of Shanghai, China.ParticipantsA random sample of 109 older adults with dementia and their primary family caregivers.Main outcome measureCaregiver burden measured by the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), and the Caregivers’ depressive symptom measured by the simplified Chinese version of Self-rating Depression Scale was the outcome variable of the study. The independent variables, including the cognitive function (measured by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, abilities of daily life assessed by the Activities of Daily Living Scale, and behavioural and psychological symptoms assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory of PWDs, the community service utilisation (measured by the Community Service Utilisation Measurement), perceived social support (assessed by three questions), positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) (assessed by the PAC) of dementia caregivers, were analysed. Multivariate linear regression was employed to determine the factors related to caregiver burden.ResultsThe average level of CBI was 65.92±16.74. The score of MoCA, PAC and perceived social support of caregivers were negatively associated with caregiver burden (β=−0.84, p<0.001, β=−3.61, p=0.03 and β=−1.22, p=0.001, respectively). Community service utilisation was positively associated (β=3.46, p<0.001) with caregiver burden. Perceived social support by the caregiver moderated the relationship between caregiver burden and caregivers’ depression symptoms.ConclusionDementia caregivers experienced a high level of caregiver burden. The cognitive function of PWD, PAC, social support and community service utilisation were factors associated with caregiver burden. Strengthening social support, providing more high-quality home care services, promoting PAC are imperative to reduce caregiver burden.

Care burden on family caregivers of patients with dementia and affecting factors in China: A systematic review

“…Of the 23 studies, 8 ( 14 , 21 – 27 ) (34.8%) were in English and 15 ( 15 – 17 , 28 – 39 ) (65.2%) were in Chinese. In addition, 14 studies ( 14 – 16 , 21 , 23 , 27 – 29 , 32 , 34 – 39 ) (60.9%) employed Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), 7 ( 17 , 22 , 24 – 26 , 31 , 33 ) (30.4%) employed Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), 1 ( 30 ) (4.3%) employed Family Burden Scale (FBS), and 1 ( 15 ) (4.3%) employed Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). This review included 4,076 participants, and the sample sizes ranged from 94 to 335.…”

“…Studies ( 15 , 30 , 33 , 37 ) have indicated that 70.3–100% of family caregivers bear the burden of care. In addition, primary family caregivers in 14 studies ( 14 , 16 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 28 – 30 , 32 – 37 ) (60.9%) were offspring or other relatives and in six studies ( 15 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 31 , 38 ) (26.1%) were spouses, but three studies ( 17 , 21 , 39 ) (13%) were failed to mention the proportion of caregivers.…”

“…In terms of patient demographics, studies reported that patients with younger ages ( 14 , 30 , 37 ), less or no retirement pension ( 29 , 30 , 37 ), low education ( 37 ), and religious belief ( 39 ) were associated with higher care burdens. In disease-related factors, studies indicated that patients with higher severity of dementia ( 14 , 15 , 24 , 26 , 30 , 34 , 36 ), poor self-care ability ( 24 , 25 , 28 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 37 ), neuropsychiatric symptoms ( 14 , 22 , 25 , 30 , 32 , 33 ), low cognitive function ( 23 , 27 ), memory behavior problems ( 22 , 36 ), Alzheimer’s disease ( 17 ), and physical dysfunction ( 28 ) were risk factors for increased caregiver burden. In addition, one study ( 34 ) found that low patients’ quality of life is an independent influencing factor for increased burden.…”

“…The current review shows that social support is a protective factor that can lessen the caregiving burden (14,23,27). Social support is a buffer to regulate life events and psychological stress (58), which is beneficial to physical and mental health.…”

study on the caregivers' burden and social support among primary caregivers of kidney recipients

“…This indicates that the improved perceived social support will decrease the caregiving burden. Recent evidence also suggests that social support is a determining factor in the caregiving burden (Tao et al, 2022;Liu et al, 2022).…”