The influence of caregivers’ burden on the quality of life for caregivers of older adults with chronic illness in Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground:This study investigated the impact of caregivers’ burden on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among the caregivers of older adults, and tested the predictive effect of burden and socio-demographic factors on HRQoL.Methods:The study employed a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and twenty-five caregivers of older adults with chronic illness were purposively selected. Data were collected using the Zarit Burden Interview and Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.Results:Findings revealed that 59.1% of caregivers experienced severe burden. In measuring the HQRoL, respondents performed poorly in seven domains: Role limitation due to emotional problems (19.69 ± 9.46), Energy/fatigue (43.47 ± 16.46), Emotional well-being, (45.83 ± 13.93), Social functioning (49.09 ± 18.46), Role limitation due to physical function (43.33 ± 10.15), Physical functioning (43.6 ± 18.73), and General health (37.31 ± 12.09). Respondents, however, showed a higher score in the pain domain (56.77 ± 35.79). Furthermore, findings revealed a positive correlation between caregivers’ burden and General health (r = 0.342), Emotional well-being (r = 0.222), and Physical functioning (r = 0.083). Similarly, there is a negative correlation between caregivers’ burden and Social functioning (r = –0.618), Role limitation due to physical activities (r = 0.459), Role limitation due to emotional well-being (r = –0.530), and Energy/fatigue domains (r = –0.509). In addition, burden of caregiving (β=–3.142119, p = 0.000) and age (β=0.612752, p = 0.011) are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers.Discussion:This study concluded that there is a high prevalence of caregivers’ burden resulting in poor HQRoL. In addition, burden and age are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers.