Caring for Frail Older Adults with Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Study on Caregiver Burden, Social Support and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

Objective: The present study examined the relationships between family and community social support, caregiver burden and life satisfaction among family caregivers of frail older adults with Musculoskeletal Conditions (MSK) in urban China. Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 823 fail older adult-family caregiver dyads from Shanghai in 2013. We only included the frail care recipients who were cared by their spouses or adult children and those who had MSK conditions. 494 dyads were included in the final data analysis. Caregiver burden was measured by Chinese Caregiver Burden Inventory. Social support was measured by Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Life satisfaction was measured by Satisfaction with Life Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine the proposed model. Results: We found that family social support and community social support were positively associated with life satisfaction among family caregivers. Caregiver burden was found to be negatively associated with life satisfaction. Caregivers’ marital status, living arrangement and income were also important predictors of life satisfaction. Conclusion: The findings highlight the interplay among family and community social support, caregiver burden and mental health. The potential moderator role of social support in the stress process should be paid particular attention in the future policy and intervention development concerning long-term care needs of frail older adults with MSK conditions and the well-being of their caregivers.