Caregiver burden: A concept analysis

Caregiver burden is used frequently within the nursing literature. It has not yet been clearly defined as there are different opinions regarding this concept. The purpose of this paper is to provide clarity surrounding the concept caregiver burden.

An electronic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Health Source Nursing/Academic Edition and Academic Search Complete (ASC) of EBSCO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Google Scholar were searched with a limit of 10 years and published in the English or Chinese language. The paper adopted the framework by Walker and Avant. The attributes, antecedents, consequences and uses of the concept were identified.

At total of 33 articles were included. The three attributes of caregiver burden were identified as self-perception, multifaceted strain, and over time. The antecedents included insufficient financial resources, multiple responsibility conflict, lack of social activities. The consequences of caregiver burden resulted in negative change which included decreased care provision, decrease in quality of life, physical and psychological health deterioration.

A definition of caregiver burden was developed. Tools to measure caregiver burden were identified. The findings from this analysis can be used in nursing practice, nursing education, research and administration.