An exploratory study of the subjective well-being of people who provide care for family members

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to (1) study the subjective well-being (SWB) of an elderly caregiver who is a member of a family, and (2) to analyze factors affecting their SWB in the Bangkok area. Data from a questionnaire survey were used with the 1,200 respondents in the Bangkok area taking part. Cross-sectional data were collected in 2019 by using probability sampling. The study applied the logit model to estimate factors affecting the caregivers’ SWB. The study examined mainly three groups of factors which are family caregivers’ internal resources-related factors, elderly-related factors and relationship factors. For family caregivers’ internal related factors, the regression results show that females have a lower level of SWB than male caregivers. If the caregivers are aged, their SWB level is lower. Single/divorced/widowed caregivers have a higher level of SWB than married people and this is statistically significant at 95%. Having congenital disease and income received from taking care of an elderly is positively related with the caregiver’s SWB. For elderly-related factors, it is found that the aged who are able to perform a number of Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) make the caregiver have a higher level of SWB. An increase in the number of health problems of the elderlies is associated with a reduction in the caregivers’ SWB level. The impact of inheritance and those caregivers with a genuine willingness to provide care have a strong positive relationship with caregivers’ SWB. Moreover, the caregivers who are the children of a care recipient have a higher level of SWB than those who are the daughters-/sons-in-law and grandchildren. Meeting the needs of family caregivers of elderlies is an important objective of public policy. © 2021 AESS Publications. All Rights Reserved.