Social support and well-being in dementia family caregivers: The mediating role of self-efficacy

May Lan Alma Mary Gerardina Au, Man Kin Lai, Kam Mei Lau, Pey Chyou Pan, Linda Lam, Larry Thompson, Dolores Gallagher-Thompson

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

99 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: The study investigated self-efficacy as a possible mediator of the relationship between the social support and depressive symptoms of primarily informal caregivers, mainly family members, of patients with dementia in Hong Kong. Method: One hundred and thirty-four caregivers were interviewed. Path analyses were conducted using a self-efficacy scale that consists of three subscales assessing three domains of caregiving self-efficacy. Self-efficacy for obtaining respite, responding to disruptive patient behaviours, and controlling upsetting thoughts about caregiving were measured. Results: Results showed that self-efficacy acted as a partial mediator between social support and depressive symptoms of these caregivers. Conclusion: Findings suggest that self-efficacy may function as a mechanism through which social support influences depressive symptoms, and the importance of this self-efficacy mechanism can be domain-specific.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)761-768
Number of pages8
JournalAging and Mental Health
Volume13
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2009

Keywords

  • Caregivers
  • Dementia
  • Self-efficacy
  • Social support
  • Well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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