The Relationship between Self-Efficacy of Older Patients and Caregiver Burden in Turkey

Many factors affect the caregiver burden. However, there is no clear information about whether older patients' self-efficacy levels affect the caregiver burden. This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the self-efficacy of older patients and the caregiver burden in Turkey. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted at a university hospital with a sample of patients and their family caregivers. The population of the study consisted of 163 older patients and their caregivers. Data were collected using the demographic data form, Self-Efficacy Scale, and Burden Interview. The self-efficacy of older patients was found to be the strongest predictor of the caregiver burden. Other significant predictors of the caregiver burden were the caregiver's degree of kinship with the patient, marital status of the caregiver, and the patient's duration of illness. This study determined that the predictor variables explained 28% of the total variance. The addition of applications that increase patient self-efficacy to the scope of the programs aimed at reducing the caregiver burden will increase the effectiveness of the programs.