Mental health of caregivers for people with dementia and cerebral palsy as a key determinant of caregiver burden: a multivariable analysis.

Mental health and anxiety showed the strongest independent associations with caregiver burden in the final regression model.

• Mental health (SF-36) was negatively associated with burden (β = -0.396, p = 0.002), indicating that poorer mental health was associated with higher burden.
• Anxiety (HADS) was positively associated with burden (β = 0.243, p = 0.049).
• The final hierarchical multiple regression model explained over 60% of the variance in caregiver burden.
• The sample consisted of 73 informal caregivers of people living with dementia or cerebral palsy who required substantial assistance in daily living.

Musculoskeletal pain in the back and lower limbs was independently associated with caregiver burden.

• Pain was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
• Back and lower limb pain emerged as the second set of factors associated with burden after mental health and anxiety.
• This finding was identified through hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

Patient-related variables such as functional dependence or disability were not directly associated with caregiver burden.

• The study assessed functional dependence and disability among care recipients with dementia or cerebral palsy.
• Despite expectations, neither functional dependence nor disability showed a direct association with caregiver burden in the multivariable analysis.
• This suggests that the caregiver's own psychological state is more influential than the objective level of patient need.

Mediation analysis showed that mental health did not mediate the relationship between patient dependence and caregiver burden.

• A formal mediation analysis was conducted to test whether mental health served as a mediator in the dependence-burden link.
• The mediation effect was not statistically supported.
• This indicates mental health operates as an independent determinant of burden rather than as a pathway through which dependence exerts its effect.

Moderation analysis did not reveal a statistically significant interaction effect among the variables examined.

• Moderation analysis was performed in addition to mediation analysis as part of the hierarchical analytical approach.
• No statistically significant interaction effect was found.
• Standardized instruments used included the Zarit Burden Interview, HADS, SF-36, VAS, and IPAQ.

The study was a cross-sectional design using a sample of 73 informal caregivers of people with dementia or cerebral palsy.

• Caregivers were of individuals who required substantial assistance in daily living.
• Standardized instruments were used: Zarit Burden Interview for burden, HADS for anxiety and depression, SF-36 for mental health and quality of life, VAS for pain, and IPAQ for physical activity.
• Hierarchical multiple regression, mediation, and moderation analyses were all performed.
• The cross-sectional design limits causal inference.