AI Insight
This study of 353 family caregivers in eastern China found that psychological resilience was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, and this relationship was partially explained by caregiver burden. Family functioning moderated this indirect effect, meaning the protective role of resilience against depression through reduced burden was stronger in families with better functioning. Among the caregivers surveyed, 31.59% experienced depressive symptoms.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that interventions aimed at building psychological resilience and improving family functioning could help reduce caregiver burden and depression among those caring for disabled older adults. This has practical implications for designing support programs that address multiple factors simultaneously rather than focusing on single aspects of caregiver wellbeing.
Understand the Science
BackgroundFamily caregivers of disabled older adults frequently face significant challenges that are associated with their mental health. Psychological resilience and family functioning may be associated with depressive symptoms among this population. Nevertheless, the mechanisms behind this relationship have received limited attention. In this study, we examined whether caregiver burden serves as a mediating factor and family functioning as a moderating factor in the link between psychological resilience and depressive symptoms among family caregivers of individuals with disabilities.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Nantong and Taizhou, eastern China, from December 2023 to May 2024. Data were collected using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview, the 10-item short form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Family APGAR Scale. A moderated mediation model was tested using bootstrap and simple slope procedures.ResultsA total of 353 caregivers completed the survey. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 31.59%. Higher psychological resilience was significantly associated with fewer depressive symptoms. This relationship was partially mediated by caregiver burden. In addition, family functioning moderated the mediated relationship, indicating that the indirect effect of psychological resilience on depressive symptoms via caregiver burden varied across levels of family functioning.ConclusionThese findings suggest that psychological resilience, caregiver burden, and family functioning are jointly associated with depressive symptoms in family caregivers of disabled older adults. Interventions targeting psychological resilience and family functioning may be associated with reduced caregiver burden and depressive symptoms in this population.