Predictors of Physical and Psychological Quality of Life in Informal Caregivers of Patients Living with Chronic Illnesses

Abstract

Background: About 700 million individuals aged 65 years or older currently populate the world and this number is expected to double to 1.5 million by 2050. Lebanon and the Middle East and North Africa region are expected no different with prevalence rates expected to reach 17.8% by 2050. Aging is coupled with a rise in chronic illnesses and hence the role of informal caregivers [ICs] becomes ever so important. This burden and a lack formal support for caregivers has led to an increased prevalence of caregiver burden, contributing to a decline in both physical and psychological quality of life [QOL]. Aim: The primary purpose of this secondary analysis is to determine predictors of physical and psychological QOL in ICs of patients living with chronic illnesses in Lebanon. Methods: Guided by an integration of the Informal Caregiving Integrative Model and using data from a sequential exploratory mixed methods study design, we recruited dyads from a major tertiary medical center in Lebanon. QOL was measured using the Arabic translated version of World Health Organization QOL–BREF and was studied across several predictors. Results: Our sample included 104 ICs [82.7% females; mean age 54.43 years]. QOL of ICs was moderate with means of 63.29 ± 20.34 for the physical, 65.14 ± 16.99 for the psychological, 58.25 ± 21.14 for the social, and 63.61 ± 17.66 for the environmental. A lower negative impact from caregiving [denoting lower personal feeling of being stressed in caregiving], a higher psychological and environmental QOL, and a lower family wellbeing explained about 62.4% of the variance in the IC physical QOL A higher IC physical and social QOL, better IC coping, and higher duration of caregiving explained about 55.5% of the variance in the IC’s psychological QOL. Discussion: Our study provides insights into the QOL of ICs caring for patients with chronic illnesses in Lebanon, revealing a complex interplay of factors influencing their well-being. The findings underscore the need for tailored support interventions addressing caregiver burden, coping mechanisms, and the dynamics of caregiving relationships to enhance ICs' QOL and overall caregiving experience.