Abstract:
Objective: To explore the mediating effects of social support on caregivers' burden and wellbeing they experienced while caring for cardiovascular patients. Methodology: This study was conducted at Cardiology Centre Multan from 23rd May to 15th September, 2016. Caregivers of cardiovascular patients were approached to assess the mediating role of social support between the burden experienced by caregivers and their level of wellbeing. The caregivers of only those cardiovascular patients who were hospitalized were included in the study. The caregivers of patients at home were not the participants of this study. Thus caregivers of cardiac patients provided data on Zarit Burden Interview scale, Caregiver Wellbeing Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Results: A total of 257 caregivers of cardiovascular patients provided data on study measures. Pathway analysis on structure equation model supported the mediating effect of social support between burden and wellbeing of caregivers. Results demonstrated that caregivers' burden is negatively associated with their wellbeing (r=-.48, p>.01) and social support (r=-.37, p>.01); while perceived social support is positively related with wellbeing of caregivers (r=.41, p>.01). Findings also reported the mediating effects of social support (emotional support .39, tangible support .22, positive social interaction .20, affectionate support .35, and overall social support .44) caregivers' wellbeing. Conclusion: Present findings supporting the hypothesized model confirmed that social support mediated the relationship of burden with wellbeing of caregivers. It implied that if caregivers of cardiac patients receive social support in forms of emotional, tangible, positive social interaction, affection may experience low impact of care-giving burden on their wellbeing.
Page(s):
25-29
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Heart Journal, Volume: 51, Issue: 1, Year: 2018
Keywords:
Cardiovascular disease
,
Social support
,
Caregiver burden
,
Wellbeing