Abstract
ABSTRACTBackgroundIndonesians constituted 79% of foreign care workers for long-term care in Taiwan in 2015. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the effect of work stress and quality of life (QoL) on this population.PurposeThis study aims to explore stress levels, social support requirements, and perceived QoL among Indonesian care workers (ICWs) who work in home care settings.MethodsA cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected between 2014 and 2016 from a convenience sample of ICWs working in eastern Taiwan using a self-administered questionnaire that comprised the Stress Perception Scale (SPS), Social Support Scale (SSS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief scale. One hundred fifty-seven valid questionnaires were collected. The response rate was 80.51%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis.ResultsThe results found that the average SPS of the sample was 70.50, with low QoL scores and requirements for more social support. In addition, significant and positive correlations were found between QoL and SPS, SSS, duration of patient care, and hours of care per week. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the most predictive variables for QoL were time spent caring, preservice training, psychological stress, and emotional support, which together accounted for 60.9% of the total variance.Conclusions/Implications for PracticeThis study facilitated understanding of the stress on ICWs and the impact of social support on their QoL. The findings suggest that new immigrants in Taiwan should be introduced to foreign care workers or nursing attendants. Moreover, long-term-care-related teachers should work with home care institutions or agencies to develop a teaching model for innovative care skills to relieve the perceived stress of ICWs.
Highlights
The world population in 2017 comprised an estimated 962 million older adults (≥ 60 years old), a population that is growing faster than all other age groups
This study aims to explore stress levels, social support requirements, and perceived quality of life (QoL) among Indonesian care workers (ICWs) who work in home care settings
The results found that the average Stress Perception Scale (SPS) of the sample was 70.50, with low QoL scores and requirements for more social support
Summary
The world population in 2017 comprised an estimated 962 million older adults (≥ 60 years old), a population that is growing faster than all other age groups. The number of older adults worldwide is expected to more than double by 2050 and more than triple by 2100 (United Nations, 2018) This will increase workforce demands and the need for services provided by care workers. Inexperience, culture shock, living habits, and language problems result in conflicts between FCWs and their employers (Chen et al, 2012), which affects the quality of care provided by FCWs and their ability to adjust to their work responsibilities (Huang & Yang, 2011). This conflict of culture and language as well as the challenges of care contribute to the stress perceived by FCWs. A previous study reported that stress has. Purpose: This study aims to explore stress levels, social support requirements, and perceived QoL among Indonesian care workers (ICWs) who work in home care settings
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
