Address Caregiver Burden Research Articles

Caregiver burden and associated factors among primary caregivers of children with congenital disorders: a comparative cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China

BackgroundCongenital disorders are a significant public health concern and a leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity, causing a substantial burden to the family caregivers. Various psychosocial factors have been shown to be associated with caregiver burden across different populations, yet their associations are less studied among caregivers of children with congenital disorders. Thus, this study aimed to describe caregiver burden and psychosocial characteristics of caregivers of children with congenital disorders compared with healthy children’s caregivers and to explore factors associated with caregiver burden of children with congenital disorders.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities that represent high, medium, and low socioeconomic development in Hunan Province from January to December 2021. 194 caregivers of children with congenital disorders and 194 caregivers of healthy children were matched based on the family residence and the age. Sociodemographic information, caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, perceived discrimination, social support, and family resilience were collected by a series of standardized scales and researcher-designed questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with caregiver burden of children with congenital disorders.ResultsCompared with healthy children’s caregivers, caregivers of children with congenital disorders were more likely to have moderate-to-severe (19.6% vs. 14.9%) and severe (3.6% vs. 0.5%) burden, depressive symptoms (20.1% vs. 10.8%), and anxiety symptoms (23.7% vs. 11.9%). In addition, the following factors were independently associated with higher levels of caregiver burden among caregivers of children with congenital disorders: having resigned from work for childcare (β = 7.795, p = 0.002), anxiety symptoms (β = 11.285, p = 0.001), perceived discrimination (β = 4.645, p < 0.001), and low levels of family resilience (β=-0.196, p = 0.043).ConclusionsThis study showed that caregivers of children with congenital disorders had a higher caregiver burden than healthy children’s caregivers, which was associated with multiple psychosocial factors. The findings provide helpful guidance for future intervention programs to address caregiver burden by improving psychosocial factors such as strengthening family resilience, decreasing anxiety symptoms, and developing anti-discrimination activities.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

The Association Between Caregiving Burden, the Caregiving Relationship, and Caregiver Health.

To determine the mediating effects of the quality of family caregivers' relationships with their older adult care recipients on the association between caregiver burden and caregivers' mental health and perceived general health. Participants included 2,431 family/informal caregivers from the 2022 National Study of Caregiving. Mediator path analysis models adjusting for caregivers' age, sex, and race/ethnicity were used to test the direct and indirect effects of caregiver burden on mental health and perceived general health via the caregiving relationship. Quality of the caregiving relationship partially mediated the association between caregiver burden and mental health, and also partially mediated the association between caregiver burden and perceived general health. Caregiver burden and quality of the caregiving relationship are influential factors in caregiver health. Strategies addressing caregiver burden and the caregiving relationship simultaneously could yield potential benefits. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

A Skill-Based multimodal intervention for dementia caregivers: impact on burden and anxiety

BackgroundDementia is a global health challenge affecting both patients and their caregivers, with family members often bearing the primary caregiving burden. In Egypt, where research on caregiver mental health is limited, interventions addressing caregiver burden and anxiety is critical.AimTo determine the effect of a psychoeducation and skill-based multimodal intervention on caregiver burden and anxiety.MethodsA randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 84 family caregivers. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 42), which received structured psychoeducation and skill-based training over six biweekly sessions, or the control group (n = 42), which received routine outpatient care. Caregiver burden and anxiety were assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q).ResultsThe sample consisted predominantly of women (79% in the intervention group, 69% in the control group), with daughters forming the largest caregiver subgroup (66.6% and 52.4%, respectively). The mean age of caregivers was 39.2 ± 4.2 years. After three months, caregivers in the intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in burden (ZBI median score: 24 vs. 34, p < 0.0001) and anxiety (GAD-7 mean score: 6.15 vs. 9.4, p < 0.0001) compared to the control group, however, NPI-Q scores remained unchanged.ConclusionA structured psychoeducation and skill-based intervention significantly reduces caregiver burden and anxiety. Implementing such programs in Egypt could improve the well-being of caregivers and individuals with dementia.

Development and feasibility testing of an AI-powered chatbot for early detection of caregiver burden: protocol for a mixed methods feasibility study.

Caregivers of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) face significant challenges that contribute to caregiver burden, negatively impacting their physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being. With the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and an aging population, there is an urgent need for accessible and scalable solutions to detect and address caregiver burden. Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots using natural language processing (NLP) have shown promise in providing mental health support and monitoring through natural conversations. This study will contribute to research and clinical practice by: (1) validating a novel approach for early detection of caregiver burden through NLP, (2) analyzing the feasibility of AI-powered chatbots for continuous caregiver monitoring, and (3) informing the development of scalable, accessible tools to identify at-risk caregivers. This protocol for the mixed methods aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of BOTANIC (Burden Observation and Timely Aid for Navigating Informal Caregiving), an AI-powered chatbot for early detection of caregiver burden. A single-center validation study will be conducted at Alexandra Hospital, Singapore. Twenty primary caregivers of ESKD patients will be recruited to use BOTANIC for 12 weeks. BOTANIC, developed using Python and open-source libraries, will integrate with Telegram and utilize advanced NLP techniques to analyze caregiver conversations and detect signs of burden. The NLP algorithm will analyze conversations to generate burden scores at baseline and at 12 weeks. Participants will also complete baseline and 12-week assessments using validated questionnaires including the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Primary outcomes include concordance between caregiver burden levels detected by the NLP algorithm and validated assessment scores at both timepoints. Secondary outcomes include user engagement metrics and system satisfaction. Semi-structured interviews will explore participants' experiences with the chatbot. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests such as paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis. The study has been approved by the NHG Domain Specific Review Board. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, and used to inform the development of larger-scale trials of AI-powered caregiver support interventions.

The Familial Burden: Recognizing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Through Proxy Family Members.

The study highlights six cases in which obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a primary patient was recognized through distress or behavioral changes in a family member. Common themes included compulsive behaviors that led to physical and emotional strain on relatives, leading them to seek medical attention. This underscores the indirect impact of OCD on family members, emphasizing the bio-psycho-social interplay in symptom manifestation and caregiving dynamics. Familial accommodation often perpetuates compulsions, as seen in caregivers assuming proxy roles. Genetic predisposition, cognitive distortions, and cultural influences shape OCD's expression and management. Interventions such as psychoeducation and family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce family accommodation, fostering better outcomes. The cases underscore the importance of systemic approaches, early diagnosis, and addressing caregiver burden to mitigate OCD's ripple effects, emphasizing the need for holistic and family-inclusive care.

Caregiver Burden in Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Concept Analysis

Purpose: To explore the concept of caregiver burden and clarify its meaning in caring for children with cerebral palsy. Methodology The concept analysis used Walker and Avant's approach to develop a working definition of caregiver burden. Five electronic databases: Embase, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for articles written in English. Quantitative and qualitative studies related to caregiver burden in caring for children with cerebral palsy were included. Findings: Of the 2986 articles yielded by the search, 24 articles were included in the analysis. The identified defining attributes of caregiver burden are heavy load, long-term care due to developmental disability, subjective experience, and multidimensional/complex phenomena. Case, borderline, and contrary models are provided to demonstrate caregiver burden in caring for children with cerebral palsy. Antecedents include the severity of the child’s disability, lack of support, financial constraints, and confinement (restricted participation in social activities). Caregivers face consequences of caregiver burden such as lifestyle disruption, family function decline, decreased caregiver quality of life, and reduced care provision. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: The study explores the emotional, physical, social, and financial aspects of caregiver burden in children with cerebral palsy, highlighting its impact on various cultural contexts influencing theoretical caregiving stress and adaptation models. The analysis provides evidence for the need for inclusive policy changes that address caregiver burden, such as increased respite care, financial support, and specialized health services. It recommends that the healthcare sector can reduce caregiver burden by identifying and establishing supportive structures early, promoting caregivers' health, and improving the quality of care.

Stress management training program to address caregiver burden and perceived stress among family caregivers of patients undergoing hemodialysis: a randomized controlled trial study

BackgroundThe objective of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of stress management training, grounded in Lazarus and Folkman’s stress management model, on reducing caregiving burden and perceived stress among family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis.MethodsThis two-group clinical trial study was conducted in parallel design among 60 family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis in 2023. The participants were divided into two groups of training and control using a random quadruple block allocation method. The intervention took place over two months, in six online group sessions of 35–45 min. Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) were used to collect information before and two weeks after the intervention. The study data were analyzed using and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), pair, and independent t-tests at a significance level of 0.05.ResultsAt baseline, the two groups exhibited homogeneity in terms of mean scores for caregiving burden (Training group = 50.8 ± 4.9; Control group = 49.1 ± 6.0; P = 0.264) and perceived stress (Training group = 32.8 ± 4.7; Control group = 31.5 ± 2.4; P = 0.192). Nevertheless, following the intervention, there was a significant decrease in caregiving burden (Training group = 45.9 ± 4.1; Control group = 49.0 ± 5.8; P = 0.017) and perceived stress (Training group = 28.0 ± 4.4; Control group = 30.7 ± 3.5; P = 0.01) scores within the training group compared to the control group.ConclusionBased on the findings of the current study, given that family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis encounter psychological distress and contend with the negative aspects of care, it is advisable to implement psycho-educational interventions, such as stress management training. Incorporating these interventions into the care plan for hemodialysis could help mitigate these adverse consequences and provide valuable support for family caregivers.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20180728040617N6. Registered on 17/04/2023.

Assessment of Caregiver Burden, Depression and Quality of Life Levels Among Mothers of Children with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background The causes of mental health problems among mothers of children with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) associated with childcare are still not fully understood. This study, thus, has aim to assess the intensity of caregiver burden, depression and quality of life levels in mothers of children with CKD compared to a control group. It also aims to identify determinants associated with mental health outcomes. Methods: Mothers of children diagnosed with CKD who were followed up in Pediatric Nephrology outpatient clinics were included as the case group. Mothers with similar demographic characteristics were taken as the control group. During the study, 72 children with CKD, 78 control children and their mothers were enrolled. The study data was obtained using the Sociodemographic Data Form (SDF) developed by the researchers, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref). Results: The groups did differ significantly in terms of maternal psychopathology (p = .024). The most common maternal psychopathology among mothers was Major Depressive Disorder. Mothers of children with CKD had significantly higher level of caregiver burden and depression levels. Quality of life levels among mothers of children with CKD were significantly decreased compared to controls. Caregiver burden was found to predict quality of life in mothers of children with CKD (β = −0.539; p < .050). Conclusion: Caregiving burden, depression, and poor quality of life are common among mothers of children with CKD. Addressing caregiver burden may be beneficial for quality life of mothers.

Educational Intervention for the Management of Nonspecific Lower Back Pain in Nonprofessional Caregivers (TRANSFE Program): A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Nonspecific lower back pain is one of the main health issues experienced by nonprofessional caregivers of dependent individuals. The repetitive movements and efforts made by caregivers to assist dependent individuals are associated with the onset of this lower back pain. The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention for the management of nonspecific lower back pain in nonprofessional caregivers of dependent individuals (TRANSFE program). The secondary objectives were to (i) evaluate the effectiveness of the TRANSFE program on other variables (caregiver burden, perceived social support, and health-related quality of life), (ii) obtain the sociodemographic profile of the sample, and (iii) determine the baseline of the study variables. A quasi-experimental study with post-intervention measurements at 3 months was conducted. Thirty-six nonprofessional caregivers of dependent individuals participated in this study. The presence of lower back pain (back pain index), low back pain (visual analogue scale), disability due to low back pain (Oswestry disability index), perceived social support (Duke-UNK scale), caregiver burden (Zarit burden scale), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol-5D) were assessed. The intervention significantly improved all the studied variables related to lower back pain (p < 0.001). The intervention was effective on other variables related to nonprofessional caregiving such as caregiver burden, perceived social support, and health-related quality of life, albeit with moderate results. An educational intervention for lower back pain experienced by caregivers of dependent individuals was effective in reducing lower back pain and addressing caregiver burden, perceived social support, and health-related quality of life. This study was registered retrospectively on the Open Science Framework platform on 20 June 2024, with the registration number 10.17605/OSF.IO/K7WTE.

Understanding Psychosocial Functioning, Caregiver Burden, and Neuropalliative Care in Parkinson's Disease - A Mixed-Methods Study.

Despite advancements in treatment, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience a range of symptoms that affect their quality of life. There is a need to integrate neuropalliative care into standard care. The aim of the study is to understand the psychosocial functioning in persons with PD and explore their caregivers' burden. The study utilizes a mixed-methods design where 50 patient-caregiver dyads attending the outpatient services of the movement disorder clinic at a tertiary care hospital were measured on psychosocial functioning and caregiver burden and palliative care outcomes for a period of 6 months. Focus group discussions were conducted with 18 patient-caregiver dyads to understand the needs of palliative care. It was found that caregiver burden was positively correlated with palliative care outcomes scores of patients ( r = 0.586) and caregivers ( r = 0.675) and psychosocial functioning was positively correlated with palliative care outcomes of patients ( r = 0.708). The psychosocial functioning score was higher among female patients (indicating worse functioning) than males, and female caregivers experienced significantly higher caregiver burden. The qualitative findings reveal that there is a substantial gap in awareness about palliative care, lack of information, presence of stigmatizing beliefs, and lack of adequate accessibility to palliative facilities. The study lays the foundation for future PD neuropalliative care research, guiding interventions, and exploration of regional variations in PD experiences in India. There is a need to address caregiver burden in PD in India.

The Paradox of Choice in Palliative Care Decision-Making in Managed Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study.

Palliative care offers undeniable advantages to elderly patients with multiple chronic illnesses in managed long-term care. However, only approximately 14% of those who require palliative care actually receive it. To investigate factors influencing decision-making regarding palliative care acceptance, and healthcare providers' communication strategies, which patients or family caregivers perceive during managed long-term care. Qualitative thematic content analysis study. Two data sources from home and community-based health care organization in a metropolitical city in the Northeastern United States were used: (a) retrospectively collected 79 phone call audio recordings between patients and/or family caregivers with healthcare providers when initiate palliative care option, and (b) prospectively collected 10 exploratory qualitative interviews with patients and/or family caregivers for this study purpose. From a total of 89 conversations, 7 themes emerged during palliative care decision-making: (a) capability for self-management; (b) symptom severity; (c) perceptions of chronic disease; (d) satisfaction with current health services; (e) code status; (f) caregiver burden and (g) other reasons, including financial considerations and service affiliations. In addition, from 10 qualitative interviews, 4 key themes in healthcare providers' communication that optimize palliative care conversations were indicated: (i) trust and relationship dynamics; (ii) positive reinforcement and personal connection; (iii) conversation setting and initiator; and (iv) collaborative approach to care coordination. Enhancing decision-making around palliative care and improving acceptance of palliative care services may be improved through the integration of personalized care plans, empathetic communication, use of symptom-inclusive assessments for timely care, and proactively addressing caregiver burden.

"Relationships, Very Quickly, Turn to Nothing": Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Adaptation to Changing Social Lives Among Persons Living With Dementia and Care Partners.

Persons with dementia and their care partners have known risks for loneliness and social isolation throughout the disease trajectory, yet little is described about social lives in a population heterogeneous for disease stage, syndrome type, and setting. We conducted a secondary analysis of qualitative interviews from multiple studies to triangulate responses from a cohort of persons with dementia (n = 24), and active (n = 33) or bereaved (n = 15) care partners diverse in setting, dementia type and stage, and life experience. Interviews explored challenges related to social lives and were analyzed thematically. Persons with dementia were on average 80 years old (range: 67-94), 38% female, and 78% diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia; care partners were on average 67 years old (range: 40-87) and 69% female. We identified 3 primary themes. First, dyads lost external social networks due to complex factors, including discomfort of surrounding social networks, caregiving responsibilities, and progressive cognitive deficits. Second, care partners described disruptions of meaningful dyadic relationships due to progressive cognitive and functional deficits, leading to loneliness and anticipatory grief. Third, adaptive strategies centered on care partners facilitating shared social activities and programs addressing caregiver burden. An overarching theme of disease-course accumulation of barriers to social interactions and constant adaptations was present in all themes. Isolation and loneliness are a shared experience and source of distress for persons with dementia and care partners. Results can inform interventions tailored to individual needs and disease stages of dyads that enhance social connectedness.

Association between caregiver burden in family and hemodialysis compliance of chronic kidney disease patients in Aceh, Indonesia.

Patient compliance toward undergoing treatment determines its success rate. Unfortunately, the compliance among hemodialysis patients is concerning. Supports from family has been suggested influence the patient compliance, especially from a family member who acts as a caregiver. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the level of caregiver burden and compliance in hemodialysis patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dialysis Installation at Dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The study sample was family members who accompanied hemodialysis patients. The minimal number of patients was determined of which 67 respondents were required and therefore recruited. Caregiver burden was collected using direct interview using Caregiver Burden Assessment questionnaire. The results revealed that twenty-four respondents (35.8%) had moderate caregiver burden, while there were only nine respondents (13.4%) had very low caregiver burden. The majority of the hemodialysis patients were non-compliant (n=38, 56.7%). A Chi-squared test indicated a significant association between the status of caregiver burden and the patient compliance to hemodialysis (p=0.011). These findings stress the importance of addressing caregiver burden in ensuring the compliance of patients receiving hemodialysis.

Caregiver burden and mental health: Parent perspectives when raising a child with developmental coordination disorder

Caregiver burden and mental health: Parent perspectives when raising a child with developmental coordination disorder

EXAMINING DIFFERENCES IN SLEEP QUALITY AMONG CAREGIVERS FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH AND WITHOUT DEMENTIA

Abstract Sleep disturbances among caregivers are linked to increased burden and worse mental health outcomes. Caregivers for persons living with dementia experience more sleep disturbances than non-caregivers. Few studies examine whether sleep quality differs between dementia and non-dementia caregivers. This study analyzes whether dementia caregivers experience worse sleep quality than non-dementia caregivers. Using 2017 National Study of Caregiving, National Health and Aging Trends Study, and time diary interview data, we examined the relationship between caregiver sleep quality (“excellent/very good” versus “good/fair/poor” the previous night) and care recipient’s dementia status (“probable” versus “no”) for 1,374 caregivers in a series of nested multi-variable logistic regression models, controlling for the caregiver and care recipient sociodemographic characteristics, relationship quality, and other controls. Caregivers’ mean age was 62.3 years old (SD=14) and about two-thirds were women (68%), non-Hispanic White (69.4%), and married (66%) Thirty-eight percent cared for persons living with dementia. In the bivariate model, being a caregiver for someone living with dementia was associated with significantly lower odds of reporting “excellent/very good” sleep quality (OR: 0.78, 95%CI: 0.62-0.97, p=0.02). This relationship persisted independent of caregiver and care recipient demographic characteristics. However, caregiver perceptions of the quality of their relationship with the care recipient and the benefits of their caregiving role explained the relationship between care recipient dementia status and caregiver sleep quality ratings (AOR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.63-1.02, p=0.08). Addressing caregiver burden and relationship quality may help improve sleep quality among dementia caregivers and reduce disparities in sleep quality between dementia and non-dementia caregivers.

THE FAITH CARE FAMILY PROJECT: A PILOT STUDY PROTOCOL

Abstract The use of lay providers/trained volunteers, to address ADRD caregiver needs may provide a scalable and culturally congruent approach for bridging gaps in ADRD care, particularly for African American families. Research examining the church as a platform for raising awareness about ADRD suggests that churches are well-suited to providing support and services to families affected by ADRD. This research protocol describes the development and testing of the Faith Care Family Project (FCF), a lay provider intervention for African American family caregivers in a church setting to address caregiver burden, coping skills, and social support. Guided by the revised sociocultural stress and coping model, an explanatory sequential mixed methods design will be utilized to test the efficacy of the FCF intervention with a sample of 18 church volunteer-family caregiver dyads. Specifically, the study addresses four aims: 1) How do church members and pastors perceive the key components of the FCF and what are their recommendations for implementation? 2) Do the church volunteers gain knowledge of ADRD after the 6-hour, FCF training? 3) Do family caregivers report more knowledge of dementia, less caregiver stress and improved well-being, more social support, and better coping skills after they participate in the FCF? and 4) What are the experiences of participants with the FCF? Data are collected at baseline, mid-intervention, post- intervention, 3 months-post intervention and through qualitative interviews. These evaluation activities will allow us to determine the applicability of the FCF as an effective, lay provider intervention for African American ADRD family caregivers.

Burden among informal caregivers of individuals with heart failure: A mixed methods study.

To develop a comprehensive understanding of caregiver burden and its predictors from a dyadic perspective. A convergent mixed methods design was used. This study was conducted in three European countries, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. A sample of 229 HF patients and caregivers was enrolled between February 2017 and December 2018 from the internal medicine ward, outpatient clinic, and private cardiologist medical office. In total, 184 dyads completed validated scales to measure burden, and 50 caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews to better understand the caregiver experience. The Care Dependency Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and SF-8 Health Survey were used for data collection. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors and qualitative content analysis was performed on qualitative data. The results were merged using joint displays. Caregiver burden was predicted by the patient's worse cognitive impairment, lower physical quality of life, and a higher care dependency perceived by the caregivers. The qualitative and mixed analysis demonstrated that caregiver burden has a physical, emotional, and social nature. Caregiver burden can affect the capability of informal caregivers to support and care for their relatives with heart failure. Developing and evaluating individual and community-based strategies to address caregiver burden and enhance their quality of life are warranted.

Strategies for Alleviating the Burden Experienced by Informal Caregivers of Persons With Severe Mental Disorders in Transitional Countries: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

Caregiver burden is highly prevalent among the informal caregivers of persons with severe mental disorders (SMDs). As such, strategies to support informal caregivers are necessary to enable them to cope with their caregiving role. Currently, there is limited evidence on the extent of existing strategies for supporting informal caregivers of persons with SMDs in transitional countries. This study presents a scoping review protocol to identify and describe the extent and type of evidence on the existing strategies for alleviating caregiver burden among informal caregivers of persons with SMDs in transitional countries. This scoping review will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. The participants, concept, and context framework will be used to select relevant studies. This review will include studies on strategies for addressing caregiver burden among informal caregivers, with a specific focus on studies outlining caregiver interventions, caregiver support, and policies with strategies for supporting informal caregivers of persons with SMDs. Relevant studies conducted in transitional countries will be considered for inclusion. There will be no restrictions on publication type or design. Published literature will be accessed by searching electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO; ProQuest will be used to access gray literature. Additionally, the reference lists of key studies will be reviewed to identify studies for inclusion. The search will be restricted to articles published between 2011 and 2021. Two reviewers will work independently to screen all abstracts and full texts for inclusion in line with the set inclusion criteria. Extracted data will be categorized and described using descriptive qualitative content analysis. This protocol will guide a scoping review to identify and describe the extent and type of evidence on the existing strategies for alleviating caregiver burden among informal caregivers of persons with SMDs in transitional countries. The main results of this scoping review will synthesize evidence from peer-reviewed and gray literature sources outlining various services and interventions for supporting informal caregivers of people with SMDs in transitional countries. In addition, existing gaps in the literature will be identified to inform future studies. The increase in caregiver burden among informal caregivers in mental health warrants the development and implementation of strategies for alleviating the burden. This scoping review aims to increase awareness on the various services and intervention strategies for alleviating burden among informal caregivers in transitional countries. RR1-10.2196/44268.

Addressing Caregiver Burden during Post-Hospitalization for Persons Living with Dementia

Addressing Caregiver Burden during Post-Hospitalization for Persons Living with Dementia

Resilience as a protective factor against elder abuse by family caregivers: findings from a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong

PurposeThis study aims to explore the risk and protective factors of abuse on older adults by family caregivers, with a special focus on the protective role of caregiver resilience in elder abuse.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional survey was conducted on a purposive sample of 600 family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong (mean age = 71.04 and female = 67.2%). Caregivers reported in a guided interview about elder abuse behaviours, caregiver burden, care recipients’ agitated behaviours, caregiver resilience, self-efficacy, social support and basic demographic characteristics. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictors of different forms of elder abuse.FindingsCaregiver resilience was predictive of lower levels of verbal abuse, physical abuse, injury and financial exploitation but not potentially harmful behaviour (PHB). Social support was independent with all forms of elder abuse, while self-efficacy predicted greater physical abuse after the adjustment of confounding variables. Caregiver burden and agitated behaviours by care recipients remained as significant risk factors in the final models when protective factors were considered.Research limitations/implicationsThis study extends current knowledge on the protecting role of resilience in elder abuse in family caregiving. Mixed findings revealed on social support and self-efficacy also highlight the complexity of the prediction of caregiver abuse. Further research should address this area.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study warrant the inclusion of caregiver resilience as a key component in developing interventions to prevent elder abuse. Addressing caregiver burden and agitated behaviours have the potential in preventing elder abuse.Social implicationsThe findings raise awareness of the importance of supporting caregivers in the community to prevent elder abuse.Originality/valueResearch concerning the protective factors of elder abuse is in a preliminary stage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first which successfully demonstrates the protective role of resilience in caregiver abuse on older adults. The findings shed invaluable light on the design of effective interventions.