Perceived social support in Chinese family caregivers of patients with dementia.

Abstract

This study aimed to describe levels of social support and explore the factors predictive of social support for Chinese family caregivers of patients with dementia. Social support levels and their predictive factors in Chinese dementia caregivers have not been well documented, which need to be further clarified to provide a basis for creating effective social support strategies. This was a cross-sectional study with 91 participants who completed a demographic questionnaire and the Social Support Rating Scale from 2015 to 2016. Chinese family caregivers of patients with dementia received moderate social support. Caregivers' subjective support domain scores and support utilization domain scores were significantly lower than those of the normal Chinese population, whereas caregivers' total social support scores were higher than those of the normal Chinese population. Family caregivers' monthly household income, educational level and place of residence were predictors of their own social support. Social support in Chinese caregivers of patients with dementia needs to be improved, especially the subjective support and support utilization. Healthcare professionals should pay special attention to caregivers with a lower monthly household income and educational level and caregivers who lived in the suburban area.