Multidimensional determinants of the caregiving burden among Chinese male caregivers of older family members in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine multidimensional determinants of the caregiving burden among Chinese male caregivers of older family members in Hong Kong. Based on a modified stress process model, this study explored how background and contextual factors (demographic characteristics and mental health status of caregivers, caregiving-related factors, and support and services), primary stressors (degree of care dependency and special care needs), and secondary stressors (self-efficacy and gender role conflict) might affect the caregiving burden among male caregivers.

Method: A questionnaire survey was completed by 204 male caregivers who considered themselves as primary caregivers for older family members with care needs aged 60 and over. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results: Being the son of the care receiver, the presence of depressive symptoms, a higher degree of gender role conflict, a lower degree of caregiving self-efficacy, and the use of support and services all predicted greater caregiving burden among male caregivers.

Conclusion: This study established a modified stress process model specifically for male caregivers. Gender role conflict and caregiving self-efficacy were introduced into the model as secondary stressors and found to be significantly associated with the degree of caregiving burden. The findings of this study could inform the development of services and interventions to reduce the caregiving burden among male caregivers.

Keywords: Burden; gender role conflict; male caregivers; older adults; stress process model.