THE EXTENT OF BURDEN AND WELLBEING AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CARDIAC PATIENTS: PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AS MEDIATOR

Abstract

Objective: To explore the mediating effects of social support on caregivers'burden and wellbeing they experienced while caring for cardiovascular patients.

Methodology: This study was conducted at Cardiology Centre Multan from 23May to 15 September, 2016. Caregivers of cardiovascular patients wereapproached to assess the mediating role of social support between the burdenexperienced by caregivers and their level of wellbeing. The caregivers of onlythose cardiovascular patients who were hospitalized were included in the study.The caregivers of patients at home were not the participants of this study. Thuscaregivers of cardiac patients provided data on Zarit Burden Interview scale,CaregiverWellbeing Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey.

Results: A total of 257 caregivers of cardiovascular patients provided data onstudy measures. Pathway analysis on structure equation model supported themediating effect of social support between burden and wellbeing of caregivers.Results demonstrated that caregivers' burden is negatively associated with theirwellbeing (r=-.48, p>.01) and social support (r=-.37, p>.01); while perceivedsocial support is positively related with wellbeing of caregivers (r=.41, p>.01).Findings also reported the mediating effects of social support (emotional support.39, tangible support .22, positive social interaction .20, affectionate support.35, and overall social support .44) caregivers' wellbeing.

Conclusion: Present findings supporting the hypothesized model confirmed thatsocial support mediated the relationship of burden with wellbeing of caregivers. Itimplied that if caregivers of cardiac patients receive social support in forms ofemotional, tangible, positive social interaction, affection may experience lowimpact of care-giving burden on their wellbeing.