Open AccessInternal and external resources, tiredness and the subjective well-being of family caregivers of older adults: a case study from western Thailand, Southeast Asia
Author(s) -
Rossarin Soottipong Gray,
Umaporn Pattaravanich
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1613-9380
pISSN - 1613-9372
DOI - 10.1007/s10433-019-00544-8
Subject(s) - psychology , subjective well being , happiness , affection , gerontology , public health , social support , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , medicine , social psychology , nursing
This study examined the effects of several aspects of care-giving on the subjective well-being (SWB) of family caregivers of older adults. These aspects were comprised of external resources including social support, affection, and internal resources including confidence, positive appraisal and coping strategies, and tiredness. The level of happiness (0-10) was used as the gauge of SWB. The data were from a cross-sectional study of 270 primary family caregivers in western Thailand. Multiple regression models controlling for age, gender, kinship to care for recipients, self-rated health, duration and hours of care-giving were estimated. Both social support in terms of appreciation and admiration for care-giving, as opposed to such care being considered a caregivers' duty, as well as inner strength derived from a positive attitude and self-perceived ability in care-giving were positively associated with SWB. Tiredness had a significant negative association with SWB. The implications of these findings for policy and intervention programs are discussed.