Resilience as an Indirect Pathway Between Social Support and Caregiving Burden Among Parents of Children With Fractures: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: To examine associations among social support, resilience and caregiving burden and whether the data were consistent with an indirect association through resilience among parents of children with fractures.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional analytical study.

METHODS

We surveyed 233 parents of children with fractures at a tertiary orthopaedic specialty hospital in Ningbo, China. Social support, resilience and caregiving burden were assessed with the Social Support Rating Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Zarit Burden Interview. Pearson correlations and latent-variable structural equation modelling were used, with nonparametric bootstrap assessment of indirect effects.

RESULTS

Greater social support was associated with greater resilience and lower caregiving burden, and greater resilience was associated with lower burden. Structural equation modelling identified an indirect association through resilience while a direct association between social support and caregiving burden remained. The cross-sectional data do not establish temporal order or causality.

CONCLUSION

Social support and resilience were associated with caregiving burden, with resilience accounting for part of the observed support-burden association.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nurses may consider assessing caregiver support, resilience and burden; providing clear fracture-specific information; encouraging practical family support; and referring caregivers to psychosocial resources when appropriate.

IMPACT: This study addresses caregiver resources and burden during acute paediatric fracture care. Social support and resilience were related but nonredundant resources and resilience accounted for part of the observed support-burden association. The findings may inform nursing assessment and support during hospitalization and early recovery.

REPORTING METHOD: The study was reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement for cross-sectional studies.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Parent caregivers contributed questionnaire data as study participants; there was no additional patient or public involvement.