Relationship between caring burden and caring behavior among family caregivers of elderly with dementia in community-dwelling: Mediating effects of caring self-efficacy and social support

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate caring self-efficacy and social support, and their mediating effects on the relationship between caring burden and caring behavior in family caregivers of elderly with dementia in the community-dwelling. Methods: A sample of 210 participants was used in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from July 15th to November 22nd, 2019 through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression analysis, and the bootstrapping method with SPSS/WIN 25.0 and PROCESS macro program. Results: The mean score for caring behavior was 3.14±0.81 (range 1~5). Caring behavior was significantly associated with caring burden (r=-.54, p<.001), caring self-efficacy (r=.68, p<.001), and social support (r=.69, p<.001). Using Baron and Kenny's approach and PROCESS macro model 4, caring behavior was found to be directly affected by caring burden (β=-.55, p<.001). Caring self-efficacy (β=-.36, p<.001) and social support (β=-.34, p<.001) were directly affected by caring burden. The partial mediating effects of caring self-efficacy (β =-.18, p=.007, 95% confidence interval-0.44~-0.14) and social support (β=-.23, p<.001, 95% confidence interval-0.38~-0.13) on the impact of caring burden on caring behavior were confirmed. Conclusion: The impact of caring burden on caring behavior was mediated by caring self-efficacy and social support in family caregivers of elderly with dementia in the community-dwelling. The results suggest that caring self-efficacy and social support need to be considered in developing nursing interventions to reduce caring burden and improve caring behavior for family caregivers of elderly with dementia.