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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 761-768 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Aging and Mental Health |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 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