Caregiver Burden in South Asian Families

Abstract

Systems theory has been extensively used by social work practitioners to conceptualize an array of social and psychological problems at the level of clinical practice. Systems theory is complex and this complexity is believed to be advantageous for investigating the roots of social and familial problems. This paper presents results from a study of caregiver burden among a sample of 118 Indian/Pakistani caregivers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan area. Systems theory is used to predict the correlates of caregiver burden. In this study the authors found that elder behavior problems, elder health problems, extended support network, and identification with filial piety norms explained caregiver burden among South Asian families. The practice implications of the findings are also presented.