Exploring Caregiving Burden and Family Resilience Among Caregivers of Young and Middle-Aged Stroke Survivors in China

Abstract

Background: Stroke, characterized by high morbidity, disability, and mortality, has increasingly affected younger populations. In China, the proportion of strokes among individuals aged 40-64 has risen significantly. This study explored the caregiving burden and family resilience among caregivers of young and middle-aged first-stroke survivors, comparing caregivers of those with good versus poor functional outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2024, involving 119 family caregivers of stroke survivors from two tertiary hospitals in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, China. Data were collected using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS-C). Independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed to examine differences in care burden and family resilience between caregiver groups. Results: Caregivers had an average ZBI score of 28.32±20.66, with 39.5% reporting no or minimal burden, 29.4% light burden, and 25.2% moderate burden. Caregivers of patients with mRS 0-2 had significantly lower care burdens (23.84 vs. 37.17, p<0.01) and higher family resilience (98.22 vs. 93.00, p<0.05) compared to those with mRS 3-5. Care burden was negatively correlated with family resilience (r=-0.243, p=0.008). Conclusion: Caregivers of young and middle-aged stroke survivors generally experienced mild to moderate care burden, while family resilience was moderate. Caregivers of survivors with better functional outcomes had lower care burdens and higher family resilience. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support caregivers of survivors with poorer functional outcomes to enhance family resilience and reduce care burden.