Relationship quality and elder caregiver burden in India

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial factors that contribute to burden among Asian Indian caregivers of the elderly in Allahabad, India. Within this context of caregiving, the importance of relationship quality as a determinant of burden was examined in 259 Asian Indian families. A stress process model was utilized to explain the quality of relationship between the caregiver and the elderly persons. Another factor predicting burden was role overload. In addition, it was found that there were several indirect effects through relationship quality that predicted burden. The findings suggest that psycho educational interventions may be gainfully used to reduce burden among caregivers of elderly in India.