Psychological and social resources for caregivers of patients with advanced illnesses
Applied/Translational Research
Care Continuum
Workforce Transformation
Singapore Health Biomedical Congress
Others
SingHealth
27 January 2026
To examine the relationship between self-efficacy, social support, emotion regulation, social capital, and caregiver burden. This is the first study to explore social capital in the context of end-of-life in Singapore.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 27 January 2026
Tags: End-Of-Life Care, Home Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Care Continuum, Applied/Translational Research, Mixed-Methods, Workforce Transformation, Informal Workforce Transformation, Caregiver
About this Content
Aims
To examine the relationship between self-efficacy, social support, emotion regulation, social capital, and caregiver burden among Singaporean caregivers of patients with advanced non-cancer illnesses
Background
Caregiver burden is a significant public health concern. While traditionally addressed through deficit-based approaches, an asset-based approach focusing on psychological and social resources may be more sustainable in promoting health outcomes. This study aims to examine the relationship between self-efficacy, social support, emotion regulation, social capital, and caregiver burden among Singaporean caregivers of patients with advanced non-cancer conditions.
Methods
An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted at a tertiary and community hospital. Eligible caregivers first completed structured questionnaires measuring self-efficacy, perceived social support, emotion regulation, social capital, and caregiver burden. To explain the quantitative findings, semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with a subset of caregivers using maximum variation sampling strategy. Multivariable regression and framework analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively.
Results
124 caregivers completed the questionnaires and 20 caregivers participated in the interviews. Social support was found to have a significant negative association with caregiver burden (Adjusted OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.76-0.98). The qualitative findings showed that family understanding and practical assistance determine the quality of support. Cognitive social support was also found to have a significant negative association with caregiver burden (Adjusted OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.28-0.87). The qualitative findings showed the collective value of mutual help within a community of caregivers with similar experiences. The rest of the measures did not show any significant associations with caregiver burden.
Conclusion
This is the first study to explore social capital in the context of end-of-life in Singapore. Taking an asset-based approach highlights that caregivers have inherent strengths and assets in the individual and community level to address caregiver burden.
Lessons Learnt
Key assets have been identified in the local context (social support and cognitive social capital), highlighting that caregivers have inherent strengths and resources. Interventions should prioritise working with and strengthening entire family systems instead of working solely with individuals. It is also crucial to empower communities to create their own support structures through caregiver support groups, online forums or informal networks.
Additional Information
Singapore Health and Biomedical Congress (SHBC) 2025 - Certificate of Merit (Singapore Young Investigator Award, Health Services Research)
Keywords
Palliative care, Caregiver, Caregiver burden, Psychological resources, Social resources
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth, Others |
Organization(s) Involved | Changi General Hospital, St. Andrews' Community Hospital |
Platform(s) | Singapore Health Biomedical Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration, Medical, Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Palliative Medicine |
Project Lead(s) | Milawaty Nurjono, Linette Tan |
Project Member(s) | Lee Jing Yi |
Connect with this contributor!
Linette Tan - linette.t.z.a@singhealth.com.sg