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Article
Caregiving Burden and self-care among European-American and Chinese-American family caregivers of people with mental illness
Journal of Family Studies
  • Meekyung Han, San Jose State University
  • Sadhna Diwan, San Jose State University
  • Megan Chang, San Jose State University
  • Karly Comfort, San Jose State University
  • Kathy Forward, National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Clara County (NAMI SCC)
Publication Date
8-1-2020
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1080/13229400.2017.1414704
Abstract

Family caregivers (FCs) of persons with mental illness (PMI) often experience caregiving burdens that contribute to poor mental health. As compared to European-American FCs, Asian-American FCs may experience greater caregiving burden due to an increased likelihood of cohabiting with PMIs. Yet, limited research exists on the caregiving experience of Asian-American FCs and on how self-care practice and social support mediate caregiver burden among FCs of PMIs. Using a cross-sectional mixed-method design this study explored the impact of caregiving burden on mental health outcomes among Chinese-American and European-American FCs. The quantitative data showed similar caregiving burden between the two groups and a partial mediation role for self-care practice on FCs’ mental health. The qualitative data showed that FCs from the two groups utilized different types of social support. Findings suggest the need for mental health professionals to develop intervention programs to enhance self-care practices and social support for FCs when working with PMIs.

Funding Number
P13-000547
Funding Sponsor
New York Community Trust
Keywords
  • Family caregivers of persons with mental illness,
  • caregiving burden,
  • self-care,
  • social support,
  • mental health
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Citation Information
Meekyung Han, Sadhna Diwan, Megan Chang, Karly Comfort, et al.. "Caregiving Burden and self-care among European-American and Chinese-American family caregivers of people with mental illness" Journal of Family Studies Vol. 26 Iss. 3 (2020) p. 441 - 458
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/meekyung-han/90/