From Burden to Depressive Symptoms: The Case of Chinese-Canadian Family Caregivers for the Elderly

Abstract

This study aims to understand the effect of caregiving burden on depressive symptoms in Chinese-Canadian family caregivers, an area on which little research has been conducted. A random sample of 339 Chinese-Canadian caregivers for elderly family members completed a structured telephone survey. The results showed that depressive symptoms were predicted positively by caregiving burden, while caregiving burden was predicted negatively by financial adequacy and positively by the level of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) caregiving assistance provided. Culturally appropriate strategies are needed to support Chinese family caregivers in order to properly manage caregiving responsibilities, financial needs, and psychological burden.

KEYWORDS:

• predictors
• path analysis
• caregiving
• burden
• depressive symptoms
• Chinese caregivers

The author acknowledges the research funding and financial support from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research for this study. Assistance in research and preparation of this article by Erica Chan, Wendy Leonenko, Grace Leung, and Tricia Johnson is very much appreciated.