The association between caregiver burden, social capital, and family functioning among caregivers of older adults with PSD - A cross-sectional study

This study aimed to explore the relationships between social capital, family functioning, and caregiver burden in caregivers of older adults with post-stroke dementia (PSD). A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted between November 2017 and April 2018 among 105 caregivers of older adults with PSD using a demographic questionnaire, the Social Capital Scale, Family APGAR Index (APGAR), and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI).An independent samples t-test was also utilized to compare caregiver burden based on demographic characteristics. Statistical analysis comprised Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 22.0 to identify influencing factors. Significant negative correlations were found between caregiver burden and variables such as social capital (p < .001) and family functioning (p < .01). The results of the multivariate analysis revealed that social capital, physical condition, and duration of caregiving were the main influencing factors (beta = 58.162, Delta R2 = 0.289, p < .001). These findings suggest that nurses should continue to prioritize the well-being of patients' families, and collaborative efforts should be made to establish care facilities that cater to both medical and social needs.