Hardiness and care-related stress in Iranian Alzheimer's caregivers: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease is widely recognised as a demanding and stressful responsibility. Caregivers' experiences largely depend on their ability to manage caregiving stress and cope effectively.

Aims: This study examined the relationships between care stressors and care challenges with hardiness among family caregivers, considering the mediating role of care stress management.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 435 Iranian family caregivers completed an online survey between July and December 2021. Data were collected on demographics, hardiness, care challenges, care stressors and care stress management scales. Pearson's correlation and path analysis were used to examine associations and mediation effects between variables. In addition to significance testing, effect sizes were calculated for all correlations (Pearson's r) and path coefficients (b) to quantify the strength of associations.

Results: The mean age of participants was 50.26 years (standard deviation=13.24). Care challenges showed a strong positive correlation with care stressors (r=0.798, P<0.001) and negative correlations with care stress management (r=-0.287, P<0.001) and hardiness (r=-0.392, P<0.001). Care stressors also negatively correlated with care stress management (r=-0.312, P<0.001) and hardiness (r=-0.304, P<0.001). In contrast, care stress management showed a positive correlation with hardiness (r=0.525, P< 0.001). Path analysis indicated that care stress management had a positive direct association with hardiness and mediated the indirect association between care challenges and hardiness.

Conclusions: Based on the results, approximately 85% of the variance in hardiness was explained by care stress management, care challenges and care stressors.

Implications for practice: The findings of this study may help nursing professionals to develop interventions that improve the hardiness of family caregivers and provide them with the necessary skills to manage the stressors associated with caregiving. This can lead to better health outcomes for both the caregivers and patients.