Effects of Social Support and Coping of Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia in Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of demographic characteristics, contextual factors, social support, and coping on health outcomes of family caregivers of older adults with dementia in Taiwan. This study also examined caregiving stress and whether support moderated the effects of caregiver stress on health. Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) Stress model guided this study. The descriptive cross-sectional study included subjects who were primary family caregivers of older adults with dementia from two settings in southern Taiwan. A convenience sample of 148 participants was interviewed. Data analysis consisted of Pearson's correlations, and simple and multiple regression analysis. Findings indicated that younger caregivers, those with paid assistants, and those with longer duration of caregiving had better health. Females with lower income and without assistants had more depressive symptoms. In addition, moderating effects of social support were supported. The results from this study provided a basis for developing interventions to minimize negative impacts on caregivers.