Application of Family Stress Theory: Predicting Wellbeing by Demands, Resources and Perceptions Among Caregivers of Older Adults

Abstract

Family caregivers of older adults are at risk of high care burden and reduced quality of life. Existing research and practices had primarily focused on the caregiving dyad. However, it is often observed that multiple family members are involved in caregiving for older adults. We applied family stress theory to understand family caregiving and examined how care demands, resources, and perceptions are associated with and predict caregiver well-being. Participants in this study were low-income family caregivers who received caregiver allowance and provided care for an older adult with care needs in the community in Hong Kong. Two waves of data, including baseline data from 358 caregivers and 2-year follow-up data from a subsample of 93 caregivers, were collected. We used hierarchical regression to predict care burden and quality of life at baseline and follow-up, respectively, by care demands, resources, and perceptions after controlling for the context of care. Results show that additional caregiving roles, quality of relationship with the older adult, and satisfaction with family support were associated with care burden and quality of life at baseline. Predictors of lower care burden at 2-year follow-up were discontinuation of additional caregiving roles, increase in size of caregiving family, and the use of domestic helper. Applying family stress theory to understand the caregiving process reveals the significance of additional caregiving roles, the involvement of multiple caregivers, and caregivers' perceptions about family support in enhancing caregiver well-being, underscoring the need to focus on these factors when designing and implementing caregiver support services.