The Association Between Disability Status of the Caregivers and Their Perceived Mental Strain: Hong Kong Population-Based Study of Caregivers of Older Adults With Disabilities

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the association between caregivers' disability status and their mental strain when caring for family members with disabilities. Moreover, we examined the moderating roles of caregiving time and the presence of additional caregivers in this association. Methods: Data were selected from a territory-wide survey of people with disabilities in Hong Kong, which included 85,700 family caregivers of people with disabilities. Logistic regression was adopted to test the study hypotheses. Weights were applied for all analyses to ensure the sample was representative of the population. Results: Caregivers' disability status was associated with higher levels of mental strain among family caregivers of people with disabilities (odds ratio [OR]=2.58, p<.001). More caregiving hours per week predicted higher risks of caregiving mental strain (20.0-39.9 hr: OR=3.38, p=.005; 40.0-59.9 hr: OR=5.01, p=.001; 60.0 hr or more: OR=9.08, p<.001). The presence of additional caregivers did not reduce the mental strain of primary caregivers. Additionally, no significant moderating effects were observed. However, the results suggest that caregivers with disabilities were more sensitive to the adverse effect of more caregiving time on mental strain. Discussion: This study highlights the significant impact of caregivers' disability status on mental strain, underscoring the need for targeted social services and policies to reduce caregiving burdens and protect caregivers' health, especially for those with disabilities.