Use of dementia and caregiving-related internet resources by informal caregivers: A cross-sectional study

Autores da FMUP

• Cristina Maria Nogueira Da Costa Santos

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Teles, S
• Pa?l, C.
• Ferreira, A

Unidades de investigação

• Laboratório Associado RISE- Rede de Investigação em Saúde

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

• Medicina da Comunidade, Informação e Decisão em Saúde

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

Informal dementia caregivers are at greater risk of experiencing physical and mental health issues as compared to the general population. Internet-based resources may provide accessible opportunities to backing informal dementia caregivers by addressing their information and support needs. This cross-sectional study aims to characterize the use of dementia and caregiving-related internet resources by caregivers and identify variables associated with such use. Primary data were collected through a web-based survey (N = 158). Linear regression models were used to assess the associations of predisposing, enabling, and need variables with the frequency of using the internet for caregiving-related purposes. Most caregivers (93%) have ever used the internet to gather general information about dementia. The frequency of using internet resources was, however, moderate. The multivariable linear regression model suggests that being younger (beta = -0.110, p = 0.009), not having a source of support to provide care (beta = -2.554, p = 0.012), having used a face-to-face psychosocial intervention at some point (beta = 2.731, p = 0.003), being employed (beta = 2.558, p = 0.013), and appraising ones own physical health negatively (vs. appraising it as similar; beta = 3.591, p < 0.001), are associated with a higher frequency of using caregiving-related internet resources. Our findings confirmed the association of age and perceived health status with caregiving-related internet use reported in other studies. The role of enabling variables as lifetime access to psychosocial interventions and having a usual source of support to provide care was a new addition. This study informs the design and deployment of information and support to dementia caregivers.

Keywords

• dementia; caregiving-informal; information technology; health behavior (MeSH); internet