This article presents the findings of a self-report study of the
consequences of being an informal caregiver in Malaysia. The aim of this
exploratory study was to examine Malaysian efforts in assisting informal
caregivers, based on an analysis of the issues and concerns raised by the
caregivers themselves. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey
of informal caregivers in 2009. This sample comprised parents, spouses
and/or adult siblings, and adult children, caring for their children,
spouses or siblings and parents who were chronically ill and/or had a
disability. Of 300 prospective participants, only 175 could be located
(58%), but all those contacted agreed to participate. Respondents were