Mediating role of self-efficacy between burden and general health in family caregivers for dementia patients in mainland china

Abstract

Objective: To test and compare the mediating effects of different dimensions of caregiving self-efficacy beliefs between caregiving burden and caregiver general health outcomes. Design and Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 193 caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Using the modified stress and coping model, we examined the comparative mediating effects of self-efficacy beliefs for controlling upsetting thoughts (CUT), responding to disruptive patient behaviours (RDB), and obtaining respite (OR) between caregiving burden and caregiver general health. Results: Results showed that self-efficacy for CUT acted as the strongest mediator (0.085) between caregiver burden and caregiver general health outcome, followed by self-efficacy for RDB (0.030), whereas self-efficacy for OR did not mediate the relationship. Discussion: Further studies may explore whether changing negative thoughts and learning to manage the disruptive behaviours of the dementia recipient improve caregiver general health outcome.