Caring for a parent with dementia: The psychological well-being of adult children

Abstract

Background: Caregiving for a parent with dementia has both positive and negative influences on psychological well-being of adult children and perceived social support plays an essential role in dementia caregiving process.

Objectives: We examined how the degree of caregiving intensity influences mental health among Chinese adult children then further explored how perceived social support influences the relationship between intensity and psychological well-being.

Research design and setting: Cross-sectional study in Kunming, mainland China between November 2022 and January 2023.

Methods: We interviewed 320 adult dementia child caregivers. Linear regression and multiple mediation analysis using Hayes' process model were used to assess the relationship between caregiving intensity and psychological well-being, as well as the mediating role of perceived social support.

Results: The study found that caregiving intensity was positively associated with depression and negatively associated with life satisfaction. A lack of perceived social support exacerbated these effects for the adult children. Specifically, the caregivers reported higher caregiving intensity when they perceived less family support, which is in turn associated with greater depression and lower life satisfaction among the caregivers. Likewise, those who reported higher caregiving intensity was reported lower friend support, which was in turn associated with greater depression.

Conclusions and implications: The findings emphasize the importance of social support, especially family support, and the necessity for health practitioners to provide targeted interventions on both negative and positive aspects of psychological well-being among dementia caregivers and to strengthen caregivers' resources for social support to enhance their well-being. While these findings are cross-sectional, it is logical to assume that those who perceive less support feel that their caregiving responsibilities are more intense, and that intensity could cause the caregiver to withdraw from friends.

Keywords: Adult children; Dementia family caregiving; Social support; Stress and wellbeing.