MENTAL HEALTH AND CARE BURDEN OF INFORMAL CAREGIVERS FOR PALLIATIVE PATIENTS IN SELANGOR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.24/no.3/art.3029Keywords:
Mental health, palliative, caregivers, anxiety, depression, Mental health, palliative, caregivers, anxiety, depression.Abstract
Background: Informal caregivers of palliative patients often face significant mental health challenges and caregiving burdens, yet data on this issue in Southeast Asia is limited. This study investigates the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among informal caregivers in Selangor, Malaysia, examines associated sociodemographic factors, and explores the relationship between caregiver burden and mental health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from July 2021 to February 2022, involving 460 informal caregivers recruited through multistage sampling. Data were collected via an online questionnaire comprising demographic information, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21), and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI). Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests for associations and Pearson’s correlation for relationships between mental health outcomes and caregiver burden. Results: Of the participants, 73.1% experienced depression, 89% reported anxiety, and 51.2% exhibited stress symptoms. Severe or extremely severe symptoms were common, with 38.8% reporting extreme anxiety. Caregiver burden was prevalent, with 28.4% experiencing mild to moderate burden and 8% severe burden (mean ZBI score: 26.05 ± 21.3). Significant associations were found between employment, income, and informal support with better mental health outcomes. Strong correlations were observed between caregiver burden and mental health outcomes, including anxiety (r = 0.745), depression (r = 0.896), and stress (r = 0.901) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Informal caregivers in Selangor face substantial psychological challenges and caregiving burdens. Targeted interventions are essential to mitigate these effects and improve caregiver well-being. Future research should explore longitudinal designs to better understand the evolving dynamics of caregiving.
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