Abstract
Objective: To explore the relative contributions of different types of informal social support towards the well-being of caregivers for patients with dementia in Hong Kong. Participants and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 134 caregivers for patients with dementia completed questionnaires assessing the informal social support available to them and its effect on their psychological well-being in terms of depressive symptoms and general life satisfaction. Results: Informal social support was significantly associated with the well-being of caregivers for persons with dementia. The emotional support provided by spouses and children was found to have significant correlation with enhanced life satisfaction and decreased depressive symptoms in the caregivers. Conclusions: Informal social support correlates strongly with psychological well-being in caregivers managing patients with dementia. Different sources and types of informal support can have differential effects on well-being.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 57-64 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Hong Kong Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2009 |
Keywords
- Caregivers
- Depressive disorder
- Personal satisfaction
- Social support
- Stress, psychological
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
