Predictors of social support and caregiver outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study identified predictors of caregiver's burden, satisfaction, depression, and social support. Little has been done to identify predictors of social support for caregivers at risk for negative outcomes.

DESIGN

Correlational descriptive study.

METHODS

A subset of interview data from a larger intervention study was utilized. Independent variables were caregiver/care-recipient characteristics and social support. Dependent variables included caregiver burden, satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and hostility.

RESULTS

Eighty-one caregiver/care-recipient dyads from the community participated in this study. Caregivers were women with a mean age of 67.53 years (range 39-86). Difficulty arranging assistance from confidante or friends correlated significantly and positively with caregiver burden (r = .38; p <.001) and depression (r = .34; p = .002), and negatively with satisfaction (r = -.28; p = .013). FINDINGS/IMPLICATIONS: Arranging assistance is more important than frequency of social network contact with respect to burden and depression. The findings indicate a need for further investigation and the consideration of interventions for at risk caregivers.