THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SLEEP QUALITY ON WELL-BEING OF WORKING FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Abstract

It has been recognized that many caregivers of dementia patients have sleep problems, and that these sleep problems are often related to the nighttime behaviors of the care recipients. Recent studies have found that approximately two-thirds of caregivers suffer from sleep disturbances, and that poor quality of sleep of caregiver is linked not only to physical and psychological burdens but also to an increased risk of depression. This study aimed to investigate whether the well-being of caregivers is mediated by sleep quality and its relationship to behavioral and psychological symptoms in elderly relatives by using a mediational model. We studied 105 working family caregivers (49 men and 56 women, aged 21–64 years) in a cross-sectional design. We assessed well-being based on scores from the K10 scale, subjective self-rated health and satisfaction with daily life. Well-being of caregivers was impacted by the level of behavioral and psychological symptoms that elderly relatives were experiencing. Quality of sleep also affected well-being in working family caregivers, and that has role which controlling affect from behavioral and psychological symptoms in elderly relatives. In conclusion, maintaining quality of sleep in working family caregivers is important for reducing caregiver frustration and improving the balance between work and family life. If caregivers can maintain a high quality of sleep, caregiver burdens and the psychological distress are reduced; therefore, high quality of sleep not only promotes positive control of life and health but also improves overall well-being in caregivers.