Abstract
Aim. To report the moderating effects of work-related conditions and interactive
family-care-giving variables, including mutuality and preparedness, on caregiver
role strain and mental health for family caregivers of patients with dementia.
Background. Few studies have examined the interrelationships among caregivers’
working conditions, care-giving dynamics and caregiver well-being.
Design. Cross-sectional, correlational study.
Methods. Data were collected by self-completed questionnaires from 176 primary
family caregivers of patients with dementia in Taiwan from May 2005–January
2006. Caregiver role strain and mental health were analysed by multiple
regressions using a hierarchical method to enter independent variables and twoand
three-way interaction terms after controlling for caregiver age and gender,
employment status, and work flexibility and the simple effect of each independent
variable.
Results. More preparedness was associated with less role strain for family
caregivers with less work/care-giving conflict. More care-giving demand was
associated with poorer mental health only for caregivers with low work/caregiving
conflict and with average and low preparedness, but not high
preparedness. For family caregivers with less work/care-giving conflict, more
preparedness decreased role strain and maintained mental health even when caregiving
demand was high.
Conclusion. These results provide a knowledge base for understanding complex
family caregiver phenomena and serve as a guide for developing interventions.
Future studies with longitudinal follow-ups are suggested to explore actual causal
relationships.
Keywords: dementia, family care, nursing, quantitative approaches, workforce
Issues