Examining the Influence of Social Interactions and Community Resources on Caregivers’ Burden in Stroke Settings: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Since the introduction of the integrated care model, understanding how social interactions and community resources can alleviate caregivers’ burden is vital to minimizing negative patients’ outcomes. This study (n = 214) examined the associations between these factors and caregivers’ burden in stroke settings. It used 3-month and 1-year post-stroke data collected from five tertiary hospitals. Subjective and objective caregivers’ burdens were measured using Zarit burden interview and Oberst caregiving burden scale respectively. The independent variables examined were quality of care relationship, care management strategies for managing patients’ behaviour, family caregiving conflict, formal service usage and assistance to the caregiver. Significant associations were determined using mixed effect modified Poisson regressions. For both types of burden, the scores were slightly higher at 3 months as compared to 1 year. Poorer care-relationship (relative risk: 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70–0.94) and adopting positive care management strategies (relative risk: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07) were independently associated with a high subjective burden. Providing assistance to caregivers (relative risk: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.72–3.29) and adopting positive care management strategies (relative risk: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02–1.04) were independently associated with a high objective burden. Adopting positive care management strategies at 3 months had a significant indirect effect (standardised β: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.20) on high objective burden at one year. Healthcare providers should be aware that excessive care management strategies and assistance from family members may add to caregivers’ burden.

Predictors of Burden for First-Ever Stroke Survivor’s Long-Term Caregivers: A Study of KOSCO

“…The use of social services was not correlated with caregiver burden, which is consistent with the results of previous studies showing that social service use was not associated with caregiver burden alleviation [14,52,53]. Only around 5% of caregivers used social services, which is consistent with a previous report [53].…”

“…The use of social services was not correlated with caregiver burden, which is consistent with the results of previous studies showing that social service use was not associated with caregiver burden alleviation [14,52,53]. Only around 5% of caregivers used social services, which is consistent with a previous report [53]. Other studies found that Asian caregivers prefer informal assistance from family members over formal services, due to a lack of trust and limited information [54,55].…”

The Burden and Quality of life of Caregivers of Stroke Survivors with Cognitive Impairment in Selected Healthcare Facilities in Anambra State, Nigeria

“…Some other risk factors that cannot be discountenanced according to previous studies include age at menopause for females ( Lip & Ntaios, 2022 ), thrombosis and hemostasis ( Dlamini & Jordan, 2021 ), preterm birth ( Qureshi et al, 2021 ), Covid-19 ( Georgakis & Gill, 2021 ), gene ( Alnsasra et al, 2021 ), cardiac disease ( Quinn et al, 2021 ). However, advancements in treatments and acute rehabilitation services (especially in developed countries) have resulted in increased survival of people affected by stroke, with many of such survivors ending up with long-term disabilities and impairments which adversely affect their cognition ( Teasell et al, 2014 ), This cognitive impairment further complicates the stroke burden even among caregivers ( Chen et al, 2017 ; Koh et al, 2021 ; Sun et al, 2014 ).…”