Understanding subjective family burden in elder care

Abstract

This study investigated burden of caregivers, analyzing data from the 'Manitoba Study of Health and Aging' (MSHA), conducted in 1991-1992 (Segall, Montgomery, Manfreda, & Blandford, 1995). The present study used 327 informal familial caregivers using a modified version of a path model developed by Stuckey and Smyth (1997). The model examined the relationship among gender, relationship, living arrangements, activities of daily living (ADLs/IADLs), and cognitive status on caregiver burden through family social network. Findings suggested that gender, relationship, living arrangements, ADLs/IADLs, and cognitive status are correlated with burden, but family social network is not.