Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective

Heather Dye

doi:10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618

Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective

Abstract

As populations age, family caregivers provide critical support for older adults and individuals with chronic conditions in home-based long-term care. While indispensable, this role often imposes significant physical, psychological, and social demands that affect caregiver well-being and the sustainability of care systems. This study examined predictors of caregiver burden within a comprehensive biopsychosocial framework. A total of 238 family caregivers completed standardized measures of caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview-12), functional dependence (Katz Activities of Daily Living), perceived social support and negative impact (COPE Index), and caregiver health effects, alongside demographic and contextual information such as employment, relationship status, and access to professional resources. Analyses revealed that greater patient dependence, longer weekly caregiving hours, and perceived negative health impacts were associated with higher burden. In contrast, higher levels of perceived social support and stronger access to professional resources were associated with lower burden, underscoring the protective role of external supports. These findings reinforce the multifaceted nature of caregiver burden and highlight the value of applying an integrative perspective that considers biological, psychological, and social determinants. By identifying modifiable risk and protective factors, the study contributes actionable insights for improving caregiver support and sustaining home-based care. Interventions that expand caregiver access to resources, provide education and training, and strengthen community and policy supports may alleviate burden, enhance caregiver well-being, and bolster the capacity of long-term care systems to meet the needs of aging populations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research was conducted with the support of the Department of Social Work, East Tennessee State University, which provided access to resources and administrative support necessary for study implementation.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the East Tennessee State University Institutional Review Board (IRB #12345). All participants provided written informed consent prior to participation. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and institutional ethical guidelines.

Thanks

The author thanks the family caregivers who participated in this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Social Work (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Heather Dye ^*
0000-0002-6408-8182
United States

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

September 10, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA62BJ37MZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Dye, H. (2025). Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care, 8(2), 79-96. https://doi.org/10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618

AMA

1.Dye H. Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. J Aging Long Term Care. 2025;8(2):79-96. doi:10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618

Chicago

Dye, Heather. 2025. “Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective”. Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care 8 (2): 79-96. https://doi.org/10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618.

EndNote

Dye H (December 1, 2025) Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care 8 2 79–96.

IEEE

[1]H. Dye, “Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective”, J Aging Long Term Care, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 79–96, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618.

ISNAD

Dye, Heather. “Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective”. Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care 8/2 (December 1, 2025): 79-96. https://doi.org/10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618.

JAMA

1.Dye H. Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. J Aging Long Term Care. 2025;8:79–96.

MLA

Dye, Heather. “Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective”. Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care, vol. 8, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 79-96, doi:10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618.

Vancouver

1.Heather Dye. Family Caregiver Burden in Home-Based Long-Term Care: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. J Aging Long Term Care. 2025 Dec. 1;8(2):79-96. doi:10.51819/jaltc.2025.1781618