Abstract
Background: Family caregivers play a crucial role in senior care in Taiwan, where caregiver burden is a significant issue. Health literacy is essential for effective caregiving and navigating healthcare systems. This study aims to investigate the relationship between caregiver health literacy, care recipient factors, and caregiver burden.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a medical center and community settings in Southern Taiwan, targeting adults aged 65+ and their caregivers. The study examines caregiver demographics (age, gender, education, employment, living arrangement, spousal status), health status, health literacy (HLS-EU Q16), caregiver burden (ZBI score), and the Activities of Daily Living(ADL) of care recipients. Caregiver demographics were summarized descriptively, and multiple regression analyzed the links between health literacy, care recipient factors, and caregiver burden.
Result: The study included 333 caregivers with a mean age of 55.3±12.6 years, 53.15% (n=177) of whom were female. Most caregivers (60.06%, n=200) had low education levels, and 59.94% (n=199) were spouses or cohabitants. The mean ZBI score was 16.6±11.57, and the mean HLS-EU score was 56.52±6.85. Caregiver burden showed no differences by gender or education level. The overall regression model is statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Caregiver health literacy, ADL of care recipients, and age (p<0.001) are negatively associated with caregiver burden, indicating that better health literacy, more ADL independence, and older caregiver age correspond to lower burden levels.
Conclusion and implication: Enhancing health literacy and supporting younger caregivers are key to reducing burden. Future research should include family living arrangements and resource utilization for deeper insights.
Notes
References:
1. O'Conor, R., Bonham, M., Opsasnick, L., Magnuson, G., Yoshino Benavente, J., Curtis, L. M., Kwasny, M. M., & Wolf, M. S. (2023). LitCog Caregiver Cohort: a prospective, observational cohort study investigating US caregivers’ health literacy, self-care skills, and cognitive function. BMJ Open, 13(e075921). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075921
2. Phetsitong, R., Reuter, K., Hughes, M. L., Glazener, K., & Tsai, P. F. (2022). In Caring for Older People in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, Do Older Caregivers Have a High Level of Care Burden and Psychological Morbidity Compared to Younger Caregivers? Aging & Mental Health, 26(6), 1149-1157. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2021.1910791
3. Sørensen, K., Van den Broucke, S., Pelikan, J. M., Fullam, J., Doyle, G., Slonska, Z., ... & Brand, H. (2013). Health literacy in Europe: comparative results of the European health literacy survey (HLS-EU). European Journal of Public Health, 25(6), 1053-1058.
4.Bédard, M., Molloy, D. W., Squire, L., Dubois, S., Lever, J. A., & O'Donnell, M. (2001). The Zarit Burden Interview: A new short version and screening version. The Gerontologist, 41(5), 652–657.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Public and Community Health, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Long-term Care, Caregivers, Family Caregivers, Senior Care, Taiwan
Recommended Citation
Yu, Yung-Chen and Wu, Yi-Lin, "Association Between Care Recipient Factors, Caregiver Health Literacy, and Caregiver Burden" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 156.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/156
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Association Between Care Recipient Factors, Caregiver Health Literacy, and Caregiver Burden
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Family caregivers play a crucial role in senior care in Taiwan, where caregiver burden is a significant issue. Health literacy is essential for effective caregiving and navigating healthcare systems. This study aims to investigate the relationship between caregiver health literacy, care recipient factors, and caregiver burden.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a medical center and community settings in Southern Taiwan, targeting adults aged 65+ and their caregivers. The study examines caregiver demographics (age, gender, education, employment, living arrangement, spousal status), health status, health literacy (HLS-EU Q16), caregiver burden (ZBI score), and the Activities of Daily Living(ADL) of care recipients. Caregiver demographics were summarized descriptively, and multiple regression analyzed the links between health literacy, care recipient factors, and caregiver burden.
Result: The study included 333 caregivers with a mean age of 55.3±12.6 years, 53.15% (n=177) of whom were female. Most caregivers (60.06%, n=200) had low education levels, and 59.94% (n=199) were spouses or cohabitants. The mean ZBI score was 16.6±11.57, and the mean HLS-EU score was 56.52±6.85. Caregiver burden showed no differences by gender or education level. The overall regression model is statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Caregiver health literacy, ADL of care recipients, and age (p<0.001) are negatively associated with caregiver burden, indicating that better health literacy, more ADL independence, and older caregiver age correspond to lower burden levels.
Conclusion and implication: Enhancing health literacy and supporting younger caregivers are key to reducing burden. Future research should include family living arrangements and resource utilization for deeper insights.
Description
This study examines the relationship between caregiver health literacy, care recipient factors, and burden in 333 caregivers aged 65+ in Southern Taiwan. Health literacy, ADL, and caregiver age were negatively associated with burden. Enhancing health literacy and supporting younger caregivers are key strategies, with future research suggested to include family living arrangements and resource use.