Factors associated with health-related quality of life among Chinese caregivers of the older adults living in the community: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundUnder the culture of filial piety and due to the Confucianism spirit in China, family caregivers usually undertake the responsibilities of caring for the older adults. They usually suffer from a heavy burden which is believed to impair their mental and physical health. Thus this study aims to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Chinese caregivers of the older adults living in the community and explore the predictors of caregivers’ HRQOL.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted through convenience sampling. The study population was composed of 1,144 caregivers of older adults who suffered from one or more types of chronic diseases in 15 communities in 3 eastern cities of China. Family caregivers were interviewed face-to-face using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the ZARIT Caregiver Burden interview (ZBI) scales. The Antonovsky's Sense of coherence (SOC) scale was also used to measure personal coping capability of the caregivers. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMR) was performed to explore the predictors of caregivers’ HRQOL.ResultsThe majority of the caregivers were females (60.0%) or adult children (66.5%). Mental QOL was significantly lower than physical QOL. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that Demographic Characteristics of Caregivers, Patients’ Characteristics, and Subjective Caregiver Burden explained most of the total variance of all aspects of HRQOL. While, Objective Caregiving Tasks was only associated with physical QOL. Subjective Caregiver Burden was the strongest predictor of both physical and mental QOL. SOC was also a strong predictor of physical and mental QOL.ConclusionsThe mental QOL of the caregivers of older adults was disrupted more seriously than physical QOL. Additionally, Subjective Caregiver Burden might decrease caregiver’ health. A decrease in caregiver burden could promote better management of caregiving tasks, and improve HRQOL. Also, coping capabilities, like SOC, are needed to decrease the impact of caregiving on HRQOL of Chinese caregivers of the older adults.

Burden and associated factors for caregivers of the elderly in a developing country

“…The relationship between the caregiver and the care receiver was predominantly a spouse or child, as found in previous studies (18)(19)(20). Daughters-in-law were the caregivers in a significant number of households in our study, as found in studies in India and the Republic of Korea (21)(22)(23).…”

Aspectos psicológicos da qualidade de vida de cuidadores de idosos: uma revisão integrativa

“…Pior qualidade de vida do cuidador foi associada com pior saúde 29 e maior comprometimento cognitivo do alvo de cuidados. 38 Pior saúde do alvo de cuidados também foi associada com menor nível de felicidade do cuidador.…”

Implementación de un programa de formación a cuidadores de personas mayores con dependencia o discapacidad

“…En un alto porcentaje los cuidadores presentan disminución en su calidad de vida física, emocional y social, la cual esta asociada a una mayor dependencia de la persona que cuidan (22); lo cual se relaciona con otras investigaciones, las cuales afirman que al brindar capacitación para mejorar las habilidades en el cuidado y el manejo de las condiciones especiales mejoran las relaciones con la persona mayor y se fortalecen los lazos familiares (23,24).…”