Factors associated with mental health outcomes among family caregivers to adults with COVID: a scoping review.

Purpose: Family caregivers (FCGs) are essential to the health and wellbeing of people affected by COVID. Protecting mental health of FCGs is essential to sustaining their caregiving role. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesise identified risks factors and protective factors for mental health of FCGs to adults with COVID.

Materials and methods: Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, the search was conducted across Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Original studies conducted since the pandemic began were included. The population was adult FCGs to adults with COVID, and studies reported mental health outcomes and related factors.

Results: Of 3474 identified articles, 22 met inclusion criteria (14 quantitative, seven qualitative, one mixed-methods, 18/22 conducted in Iran). Across all study designs, risk factors included limited support, financial burden, family challenges, unpredictable nature of COVID, inexperience, isolation, and unpleasant experiences. Protective factors included accessing support services, self-reinforcement, coping strategies, professional help, and online intervention.

Conclusions: Quantitative and qualitative research identified common mental health risk factors and protective factors for FCGs to adults with COVID. These factors may inform development of supports and services for FCGs to people with COVID, such as online interventions. Studies did not distinguish acute versus long COVID.