Mental Well-Being of Family Caregivers During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Mendoza Olivia MD, St. John Laura PhD, Tarzi Gabriel BSc, Thakur Anupam MBBS, MD, Lake Johanna K. PhD, Lunsky Yona PhD
Primary Institution: Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
Hypothesis
What demographic, situational, and psychological factors are associated with mental well-being among family caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Conclusion
Family caregivers need support to foster social connections and effectively utilize healthcare services to improve their mental health.
Supporting Evidence
- Caregivers reported feeling unable to support their relatives due to loss of services during the pandemic.
- Connection with other families was a significant predictor of mental well-being.
- Confidence in managing burnout and navigating healthcare systems contributed to better mental health outcomes.
Takeaway
This study found that family caregivers of adults with disabilities felt more stressed during COVID-19, and connecting with other families and feeling confident in managing stress helped them feel better.
Methodology
The study used a cross-sectional design with hierarchical regression analysis on baseline data collected from an online survey of family caregivers.
Potential Biases
Participants were predominantly Caucasian women with access to technology, which may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the sample may not represent all caregivers due to convenience sampling.
Participant Demographics
Most participants were mothers (79%), with 70.3% living in Ontario and 81.19% identifying as White.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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