Informal Caregiver Burnout? Development of a Theoretical Framework to Understand the Impact of Caregiving

Abstract

Informal caregiving is a rewarding but demanding role. The present theoretical framework proposes to adapt the tridimensional concept of burnout to informal caregiving as a way to address the potential consequences of caregiving. This adaptation reflects caregivers’ reported difficulties, as well as empirical findings on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment as caregiving outcomes. But to understand burnout in informal caregiving contexts, it is also necessary to find ways to model it. The Informal Caregiving Integrative Model (ICIM) is thus proposed. This model is based on the integration of elements from literature on both informal caregiving stress and professional burnout. The goal of the ICIM is to emphasize the importance of every category of determinants of informal caregiver burnout (i.e., relating to the caregiver, the caregiving setting, and the sociocultural context), with a key mediating role for the caregivers’ appraisal of their situation and their relationship with the care-recipient. This article is a first integrative step in the consideration of a form of burnout specific to informal caregivers and supports the design of empirical and interventional studies based on the theoretical foundation that the ICIM proposes.

Factors associated with strain among informal care providers of patients with traumatic brain injury in Malaysia

“…Such feeling of dedication and determination may influence the strain level to be lower as such informal care providers are willingly providing care. [ 23 ] Informal care providers who spent over 5 years seemed to have a lower level of strain. This suggests that the duration is a key factor in influencing the strain levels.…”

Functional health literacy and caregiving burden among family caregivers of patients with end‐stage renal disease

“…In the multivariable regression model, caregiving burden was treated as a continuous variable and FHL as a categorical variable (adequate, limited). Demographic and clinical variables in the regression model were those shown relevant in prior research and theory (Adelman, Tmanova, Delgado, Dion, & Lachs, 2014; Gérain & Zech, 2019). Effect sizes associated with correlation coefficients for predictors in the regression model were reported.…”

“…With limited FHL, family caregivers become vulnerable to a negative, burdensome caregiving experience. According to the Informal Caregiving Integrative Model, caregiving burden is perceived when caregivers sense an imbalance between what they possess in terms of resources, abilities, or skills and what their caregiving situation demands (Gérain & Zech, 2019). According to this model, negative beliefs about self, such as feeling incompetent, unconfident, or uncertain about one's capabilities or self‐efficacy increase feelings of burden and constrain one's ability to cope effectively with caregiving demands or stressors (Gérain & Zech, 2019).…”

“…According to the Informal Caregiving Integrative Model, caregiving burden is perceived when caregivers sense an imbalance between what they possess in terms of resources, abilities, or skills and what their caregiving situation demands (Gérain & Zech, 2019). According to this model, negative beliefs about self, such as feeling incompetent, unconfident, or uncertain about one's capabilities or self‐efficacy increase feelings of burden and constrain one's ability to cope effectively with caregiving demands or stressors (Gérain & Zech, 2019). Up to 52% of family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases, including ESRD, experience high caregiving burden (Jadhav, Dhavale, Dere, & Dadarwala, 2014) and limited FHL (Yuen, Knight, Ricciardelli, & Burney, 2018).…”

The Burden of Informal Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Patients: An Estimation to Portugal

“…Informal caregiving is emotionally rewarding, bringing up self-esteem and sense of worthiness and life mission. But it is a very demanding role, and informal carers very often suffer burnout and health problems [14]. On top of this, several carers have difficulties combining the care with their labour responsibilities, and some quit their jobs to be able to respond the patient needs.…”