A study of the relationship between social support, caregiving experience and depressed mood of family caregivers of home-dwelling older adults with disability- - a cross-sectional study

Population aging in China has intensified psychological challenges for family caregivers. This study investigates the relationships among social support, caregiving experiences, and depressed mood in family caregivers of home-dwelling older adults with disabilities, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for enhancing caregivers' physical and mental well-being and optimizing home-based care services. A random sample of 494 family caregivers from three districts in a specified city was surveyed. Data included demographics of family caregivers and care recipients, scores from the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBI), Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale (PAC), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10). Statistical analyses comprised t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and stratified linear regression. Mean scores for social support, positive caregiving experience, caregiving burden, and depressed mood were 28.62 ± 5.82, 32.01 ± 6.13, 34.59 ± 18.41, and 8.22 ± 5.96, respectively. Depressed mood scores varied significantly with family caregivers' education, self-rated health, and care recipients' disability severity (P < 0.01). Social support was negatively correlated with both caregiving burden and depressed mood (P < 0.01), and positively correlated with positive caregiving experience (P < 0.01). Positive caregiving experience was negatively associated with caregiving burden and depressed mood (P < 0.01), whereas caregiving burden was positively correlated with depressed mood (P < 0.01). Regression analysis indicated that social support and positive experience negatively predicted depressed mood (path coefficients: -0.11 and − 0.37, P < 0.01), while caregiving burden had a significant positive effect (path coefficient: 0.35, P < 0.01). Social support exerts a direct negative effect on caregivers' depressed mood, with caregiving experience playing a chain mediating role in this relationship. Strengthening the social support and enhancing the positive caregiving experience may reduce depressed mood. Governments and communities should strengen systemic support by establishing caregiver networks, expanding skill-building programs, and integrating mental health resources. These measures could empower family caregivers to manage responsibilities effectively, improving well-being for both family caregivers and care recipients.