Resilience and Overload in Caregivers of Dependent Persons: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The burden associated with caring for people with disabilities or other dependency conditions is a significant public health issue that affects informal and formal caregivers, generating negative physical, emotional, and social impacts. In light of this situation, resilience has been identified as a protective factor that reduces the negative impact of prolonged caregiving in contexts related to disability and dependency. The objective of this research was to systematically analyze the relationship between resilience and overload, quantifying the magnitude of this relationship through a meta-analysis. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Dialnet, and quantitative studies reporting correlations between resilience and caregiver burden were included. Thirty-two studies that met the eligibility criteria were included. The meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model, which resulted in a significantly negative correlation, indicating that high levels of resilience are associated with low levels of overload among caregivers of dependent persons (r = -.39, 95% CI [-.46, -.32]; I² = 93.55%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results, and Egger's and Begg's tests ruled out the existence of publication bias. Although heterogeneity was high, moderation analyses did not identify any significant explanatory variables. In conclusion, the results confirm that resilience is an essential resource for coping with the demands of caregiving associated with dependency. Strengthening resilience is a key strategy for reducing overload and promoting the sustainability of care in disability and health contexts.