RESEARCH WEEKLY: Ways to Improve Asian American Caregiver Well-being
By Sophie Ali
Discovering ways to enhance wellness for caregivers of individuals with serious mental illness has been an ongoing effort. Yet, Asian Americans have been underrepresented in studies regarding serious mental illness caregiving. A recent study published in the Community Mental Health Journal explores the associations between service utilization, self-efficacy and positive attitudes among Asian American participants in Santa Clara County, Calif. And reveals that these associations improve Asian American caregiver well-being.
Factors that improve the well-being of caregivers
The well-being of caregivers affects the well-being of those under their care. “Caregiver burden” is a term used to describe the strain and burnout experienced when caring for individuals with serious mental illness. This sense of burnout can impact the wellness of both caregivers and the affected family member.
Previous studies have found a link between embracing positive attitudes and improved well-being for caregivers. A contributing factor to establishing positive attitudes in family caregivers is self-efficacy — the belief that one can take the necessary steps to complete specific tasks. When caregivers demonstrate self-efficacy, they are more likely to exhibit positive attitudes toward taking care of their loved ones by viewing such tasks as challenges to be overcome. Self-efficacy can be developed by using various mental health services, which include family therapy and psychoeducational programs. Service utilization can thereby help family caregivers navigate serious mental illness treatment by providing them with necessary education and emotional support. Positive attitude, self-efficacy and service utilization are integral to address caregiver burden in Asian American populations.
Study details and results
Researchers from San José State University recruited 116 Asian American family caregivers of persons with serious mental illness from Santa Clara County, Calif. to participate in the study. Of those participants, 61 were of Chinese descent and 55 were of Vietnamese descent. Bilingual research assistants translated in-person survey content into the participants’ respective languages prior to data collection. The survey measured positive attitude, overall wellness, self-efficacy and service utilization with various scales and controlling for caregiving burden, affiliated stigma and structural barriers, such as lack of insurance.
The analysis revealed that there was a high level of positive attitudes among study participants and that as these attitudes increased well-being and self-efficacy also increased. Furthermore, higher levels of self-efficacy were associated with higher utilization of mental health services. The main predictors of greater service utilization included increased severity of mental illness symptoms and fewer structural barriers. Interestingly, family members with greater caregiving burden and service utilization reported higher self-efficacy.
Implications for the Asian American caregiving experience
The Asian American caregiving experience differs from the caregiving experience of other racial groups because of differences in cultural norms and values unique to Asian Americans. The high levels of positive attitudes detected among study participants may be a result of collectivistic cultural values that promote familial interdependence and acceptance of family roles such as caregiving. The researchers note that these cultural differences can explain the results of this study and indicate future directions that may be taken. Asian American familial caregivers are likely to view their role as contributing to the entire family which leads to positive attitudes toward caregiving and a higher sense of self-efficacy. Given that service utilization predicts a greater sense of self-efficacy, it is important to work toward expanding accessibility to services and developing culturally tailored programs that address self-efficacy for both Asian American caregivers and caregivers in diverse ethnic groups.
References
Han, M., Diwan, S., Cole, T., Hay, K., & Paturzo, M. (2022). Service Utilization, Self-Efficacy, Positive Attitude and Well-Being Among Asian American Family Caregivers of Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses. Community Mental Health Journal.
