Article

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of three types of
social support (appraisal, belonging, and tangible) on caregiver mental health
(anxiety, burden, depression, and satisfaction with life) among Mexican
caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: This is a
cross-sectional study of 90 family caregivers from Hospital Civil Fray Antonio
Alcade in Guadalajara, Mexico. RESULTS: More months spent caregiving was
associated with decreases in all three types of social support. Older age and
fewer years of education were associated with lower appraisal social support.
More hours per week spent caregiving was associated with lower caregiver state
anxiety and greater satisfaction with life. Appraisal, belonging, and tangible
social support were all significantly correlated with more salubrious caregiver
mental health outcomes, except satisfaction with life. Appraisal social support
independently predicted lower caregiver depression. CONCLUSIONS: Particularly in
Latin America, strong social support networks and family connections seem closely
tied to key mental health outcomes such as depression. Rehabilitation
interventions aimed at strengthening perceptions of social support of caregivers
of individuals with traumatic brain injury that specifically target availability
of advice may improve mental health and contribute to more optimal informal care
for individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Langue : ANGLAIS