Positive aspect of caregiving among primary informal dementia caregivers in Singapore

PLoS One. 2020 Aug 20;15(8):e0237677. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237677. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Background: The present study investigated the factor structure of positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) scale among primary informal caregivers providing care to persons with dementia (PWD) in Singapore.

Methods: 282 primary informal caregivers of PWD were recruited from the Institute of Mental Health, and Changi General Hospital and administered the 9-item PAC scale. A confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) was conducted to test the model fit of the 9-item PAC proposed by the scale developer and multiple linear regression was used to investigate the significant socio-demographic correlates.

Results: CFA showed that the 2-factor structure including 'Self-Affirmation' and 'Outlook on Life' had an acceptable model fit. After controlling for confounding variables, Malay caregivers were associated with higher scores on PAC and 'Self-Affirmation' compared to caregivers of other ethnicities. Caregivers with Secondary or below education level had higher PAC and 'Outlook on Life' scores. Caregivers who had received formal training scored higher in PAC, 'Self-Affirmation' and 'Outlook on Life'.

Discussion: The present study confirmed that the 2-factor structure of the 9-item PAC was suitable for informal caregivers of PWD in Singapore. The findings have important implications for locally available interventions to enhance caregiver's psychological well-being and reduce burden of care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Cost of Illness
  • Dementia / epidemiology*
  • Dementia / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Psychometrics*
  • Quality of Life
  • Singapore
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

The study was funded by Singapore Ministry of Health’s National Medical Research Council under the Centre Grant Programme (Grant No.: NMRC/CG/004/2013) and the Institute of Mental Health Bridging Fund (CRC Ref: 545-2016). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.