Influence of psychological responses of caregiving on the perceived health of family caregivers to acute stroke survivors

Family caregivers provide round-the-clock care to their family members who had a stroke. The detrimental effects of caregiving on caregiver’s health would lead to the abandonment of caregiver role and institutionalization of stroke survivors. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the perceived health status of family caregivers to stroke survivors. This study conducted a secondary analysis of the baseline data of 142 family caregivers of stroke survivors nested within a longitudinal randomized controlled trial. Potential factors were identified according to the Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center model and were analyzed with hierarchical multiple regression models. The results indicated that stroke caregivers exhibited comparable perceived physical health with general population but poorer perceived mental health. Severity of depressive symptoms (β = −0.37, P < .001) remained the strongest and most significant factor associated with perceived mental health, followed by confidence in problem-solving (β = −0.21, P < .05). Moreover, caregiving competence (β = 0.29, P < .001) was the sole significant psychological factor associated with perceived physical health. Caregiving competence, problem-solving abilities, and severity of depressive symptoms are significant modifiable correlates of the perceived health of caregivers. Intervention for improving these psychological responses of caregivers is suggested incorporated in stroke rehabilitation programs.