Self‐efficacy of family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment: A concept analysis

Abstract

Background Research demonstrates that increased self‐efficacy can help family caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's and other types of cognitive impairment experience lower burden and depressive symptom severity. Aims The purpose of this concept analysis is to address fundamental gaps in the understanding of self‐efficacy in family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment, including updating the 26‐year‐old concept analysis with a contemporary definition. Methods This study utilizes Walker and Avant's (2019) concept analysis method, an eight‐step iterative process that helps to clarify ambiguous concepts. A literature review was conducted from July 1993 through March 2019 using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer‐reviewed research articles and review articles that included family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment. Results Eight defining attributes of this concept are identified. The revised definition of self‐efficacy in this population is a family caregiver's confidence in their ability to: manage behaviors and other caregiving stresses, control upsetting thoughts, acquire medical information, manage medical issues, obtain self‐care, access community supports, assist with activities of daily living and other care, and maintain a good relationship with a relative, friend, or neighbor of an older adult with cognitive impairment. Conclusion This paper utilizes over a quarter‐century of research to build on the original analysis by Mowat and Spence Laschinger (1994) and update the concept's definition. This analysis should provide researchers with a clearer understanding of this concept and a renewed emphasis on the importance of targeting interventions to improve self‐efficacy in this vulnerable caregiving population.

Improving Dementia Caregiver Activation With a Brief Communication Module

“…36,37 Self-efficacy is indicative of the dementia caregiver's confidence in managing care, obtaining community-based support, and acquiring medical information. 38 When caregivers of people with cognitive impairment learn that their role includes active communication with healthcare providers, medical visits are more patient- centered. 39 Self-efficacy and communication activation skills are essential for dementia caregivers to develop, particularly in the advanced stages of dementia when important end of life treatment decisions must be made.…”

A randomised controlled trial of the Learning Skills Together (LST) intervention to improve dementia family caregivers’ self-efficacy with complex care

“…Self-e cacy-which refers to the belief in one's ability to accomplish tasks and achieve desired outcomes (19)-plays a critical role in the mental health and well-being of caregivers (20,21). Higher levels of self-e cacy are associated with better outcomes and greater satisfaction in the caregiving role (20,(22)(23)(24). Furthermore, self-e cacy can mediate the association between the perceived severity of BPSD and depression, underscoring its importance in managing complex care tasks (23,25).…”

The effects of self-guided interventions on stress, burden, and mental health in caregivers of people living with dementia: A systematic review

“…Although positive emotions can coexist with care demands, such as bonding between family members or discovering a sense of purpose, unpaid caregivers often report negative effects of caregiving on their mental health, such as anxiety, depression, declined self-efficacy, or a lack of social interaction (e.g., loneliness) ( Brodaty and Donkin, 2009 ; Khan et al., 2021 ; Victor et al., 2021 ). In particular, unpaid caregivers of people living with dementia experience a higher level of psychological distress and self-reported health issues compared to those caring for people with other diseases ( Brodaty and Donkin, 2009 ).…”