TRAJECTORIES OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG FAMILY CAREGIVERS: THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE
2024

Social Support Changes in Family Caregivers

Sample size: 278 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lim-Soh Jeremy, Ping Yongjing, Quach Ha-Linh, Ang Shannon, Malhotra Rahul

Primary Institution: Duke-NUS Medical School

Hypothesis

Does psychological resilience influence the trajectories of perceived social support among family caregivers?

Conclusion

Most family caregivers experience stable perceived social support over time, but a minority report a decline.

Supporting Evidence

  • Five distinct trajectories of perceived social support were identified.
  • Three stable trajectories accounted for 91% of caregivers.
  • Two declining trajectories accounted for 9% of caregivers.
  • Psychological resilience was positively associated with perceived social support in stable trajectories.

Takeaway

This study looked at how family caregivers feel supported over time and found that most feel stable support, but some feel less supported as time goes on.

Methodology

Longitudinal survey with interviews conducted up to four times over two years.

Limitations

Further investigation is needed to understand the reasons for the decline in perceived social support.

Participant Demographics

Singaporean family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults aged 75 years and above.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0640

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