Proper

Abstract

The present study analyzed the factors influencing the burnout in family members of elderly dementia patients and verified such factors using a hypothetical model. 443 family members of elderly dementia patients in elderly care facilities were included as subjects. Based on previous studies and literature review, variables impacting upon the burnout were established. The role conflict, stress, self-esteem, other family members’ support and coping ability were selected as exogenous variables. The care giving burden and depression were selected as endogenous variables. The number of measured variables was 13. As the instruments, burnout, care giving burden (Zarit Burden Interview: ZBI), depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depress Scale:CES-D), role conflict, stress (Cornell Medical Index: CMI), self-esteem, other family members’ support (Medical Outcome Study: MOS) and coping ability were used. In brief, greater role conflicts and stress increased the care giving burden. Greater stress, role conflict, care giving burden and self-esteem aggravated the depression. Greater family members’ support lessened the depression. Also, greater care giving burden, depression, stress and role conflicts increased the burnout, whereas greater coping ability decreased the burnout. The present findings suggest that proper strategies should be developed to decrease the care giving burdens of family members caring for the elderly with dementia.