The Effects of Social Resources on Depression Among Family Caregivers Caring for the Elderly in Need of Long-term Care: The Mediating Effect of Spiritual Well-being

• Published in: 韓國컴퓨터情報學會論文誌 Vol. 24; no. 7; pp. 143 - 151
• Main Authors: Kim, Kyung Ho, Choi, Young Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 한국컴퓨터정보학회 2019
• Subjects: social support; family caregivers; depression; spiritual well-being; long-term care
• ISSN: 1598-849X; 2383-9945

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the causal relationships between social support, spiritual well-being, and depression among family caregivers caring for the elderly in need of long-term care. Based on previous studies and theoretical backgrounds, a mediation research model including the aforementioned variables was proposed. A total of 383 family caregivers from 25 long-term care facilities in G Metropolitan City were included in the present study and hierarchical regression was used. The primary results were as follows. First, family caregivers' social support was negatively associated with depression. Second, family caregivers' social support was positively associated with spiritual well-being. Third, family caregivers' spiritual well-being was negatively associated with depression. Fourth, social support was positively associated with spiritual well-being, which was related to weaker depression among family caregivers. Finally, theoretical implications of these findings and recommendations for policy and practice were also discussed.