Neighbourhood relationships moderate the positive association between family caregiver burden and psychological distress in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Family caregiver burden is associated with higher psychological distress. However, little is known about the impact of neighbourhood relationships on caregivers' psychological distress. We examined whether neighbourhood relationships of caregivers moderate the association between family caregiver burden and psychological distress.

Study design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods: We recruited 5321 Japanese adults who participated in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study in the Okazaki area between 2013 and 2017. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires to measure psychological distress (Kessler 6: K6), subjective caregiver burden, and neighbourhood relationships. We performed a multivariable linear regression analysis in which caregiver burden was designated as an independent variable and the K6 score as a dependent variable, adjusting for demographics. The interaction term between caregiver burden and neighbourhood relationships was also included in the analysis.

Results: Data from a total of 5069 participants were included (mean age [standard deviation]: 63.1 years [10.3 years]; 2226 [43.9%] female). Caregiver burden was significantly and positively associated with psychological distress (compared with no burden, mild burden: β = 0.24, P = 0.197; severe burden: β = 0.60, P < 0.01; P for trend < 0.01). There was a significant negative interaction effect of caregiver burden × neighbourhood relationship on psychological distress (severe burden × good neighbourhood relationship: β = -3.29, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: A higher caregiver burden was associated with higher psychological distress, and neighbourhood relationships moderated this association. Our findings suggest that good neighbourhood relationships can buffer caregiving-associated psychological distress.

Keywords: Caregiver burden; Family caregiving; Japanese adults; Neighbourhood relationships; Psychological distress.