IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v21y2020i4d10.1007_s10902-019-00138-2.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Association Between Character Strengths and Caregiver Burden: Hope as a Mediator

Author

Listed:
  • F. Javier García-Castro

    (University of Malaga)

  • Ana Alba

    (University of Malaga)

  • María J. Blanca

    (University of Malaga)

Abstract

Caregiver burden is the negative impact that caregivers perceive as a result of their caregiving tasks. According to the stress process model, contextual variables and primary and secondary stressors produce negative mental health outcomes in caregivers. However, this relationship may be buffered by psychological resources which act as mediators/moderators. Although there is research on the mediating/moderating effect of mastery, coping strategies, and social support, the effect of psychological values remains unexplored. This study aimed to explore, after controlling for contextual variables and stressors, which character strengths are associated with caregiver burden. We also sought to analyze the mediating/moderating effect of character strengths on the relationship between burden and the significant contextual variables and stressors. To this end, a sample of 115 caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia completed a questionnaire battery. Correlational analysis, multiple regression modeling, and mediation and moderation analysis were performed. The results revealed that the caregivers who experience the greatest burden are those who live with the care recipient, who score higher on perceived stress, who feel their leisure time is limited, and who perceive more financial strain. Higher scores on caregiver burden were associated with lower scores on hope, zest, social intelligence, and love. Regression modeling indicated that hope was the strength which best predicted burden and that hope mediated the relationship between perceived stress and burden. No moderation effect was found. The results suggest that hope-based programs could enhance positive emotions and reduce the perceived negative impact of caregiving.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Javier García-Castro & Ana Alba & María J. Blanca, 2020. "Association Between Character Strengths and Caregiver Burden: Hope as a Mediator," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1445-1462, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00138-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00138-2
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-019-00138-2
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-019-00138-2?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Denise Quinlan & Nicola Swain & Dianne Vella-Brodrick, 2012. "Character Strengths Interventions: Building on What We Know for Improved Outcomes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(6), pages 1145-1163, December.
    2. María J. Blanca & Marta Ferragut & Margarita Ortiz-Tallo & Rebecca Bendayan, 2018. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in Spanish Early Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1247-1260, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shiri Lavy, 2020. "A Review of Character Strengths Interventions in Twenty-First-Century Schools: their Importance and How they can be Fostered," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 573-596, April.
    2. Yi Zhou & Yinglong Duan & Jian Zhou & Ning Qin & Xiangyu Liu & Yue Kang & Ziyu Wan & Xing Zhou & Yuxuan Li & Juan Luo & Jianfei Xie & Andy SK Cheng, 2024. "Character Strength-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Focusing on Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients with Distress: A Randomized Control Trial of Positive Psychology," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(7), pages 1-27, October.
    3. Wenjie Duan & Bo Qi & Junrong Sheng & Yuhang Wang, 2020. "Latent Character Strength Profile and Grouping Effects," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 147(1), pages 345-359, January.
    4. Maria Christina Meyers & Marianne Woerkom, 2017. "Effects of a Strengths Intervention on General and Work-Related Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 671-689, June.
    5. Supervía, Pablo Usán & Bordás, Carlos Salavera & Robres, Alberto Quílez & Blasco, Raquel Lozano & Cosculluela, Cecilia Latorre, 2023. "Empathy, self-esteem and satisfaction with life in adolescent," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    6. Marc-Antoine Gradito Dubord & Jacques Forest & Lina Marija Balčiūnaitė & Evamaria Rauen & Tomas Jungert, 2022. "The power of strength-oriented feedback enlightened by self-determination theory: a positive technology-based intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2827-2848, August.
    7. Blake Allan, 2015. "Balance Among Character Strengths and Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1247-1261, October.
    8. Valesca Y. Tobias & Marianne Woerkom & Maria Christina Meyers & Robin Bauwens, 2024. "Coaching Based on Signature Strengths or Lesser Strengths? The Effects of Two Strengths Spotting Interventions on Managerial Coaching Behavior," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1-24, June.
    9. Sylvia Y C L Kwok & Siqi Fang, 2021. "A Cross-Lagged Panel Study Examining the Reciprocal Relationships Between Positive Emotions, Meaning, Strengths use and Study Engagement in Primary School Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1033-1053, March.
    10. Wenjie Duan & Samuel M. Y. Ho, 2018. "Does Being Mindful of Your Character Strengths Enhance Psychological Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1045-1066, April.
    11. María J. Blanca & Marta Ferragut & Margarita Ortiz-Tallo & Rebecca Bendayan, 2018. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in Spanish Early Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1247-1260, June.
    12. Alicja Kozakiewicz & Zbigniew Izdebski & Maciej Białorudzki & Joanna Mazur, 2023. "Pandemic-Related Stress and Other Emotional Difficulties in a Sample of Men and Women Living in Romantic Relationships during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    13. Maria Christina Meyers & Byron G. Adams & Lusanda Sekaja & Carmen Buzea & Ana-Maria Cazan & Mihaela Gotea & Delia Stefenel & Marianne Woerkom, 2019. "Perceived Organizational Support for the Use of Employees’ Strengths and Employee Well-Being: A Cross-Country Comparison," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 1825-1841, August.
    14. Tohar Dolev-Amit & Avinadav Rubin & Sigal Zilcha-Mano, 2021. "Is Awareness of Strengths Intervention Sufficient to Cultivate Wellbeing and Other Positive Outcomes?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 645-666, February.
    15. Wenjie Duan & He Bu & Jinli Zhao & Xiaolong Guo, 2019. "Examining the Mediating Roles of Strengths Knowledge and Strengths Use in a 1-Year Single-Session Character Strength-Based Cognitive Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 1673-1688, August.
    16. Wenjie Duan & Xinhang Yu & Xiaoqing Tang, 2023. "“Humor A B C” Program: Specific Strength Intervention in Facilitating the Positive Development of Left-Behind Children," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1605-1624, April.
    17. Thomas Höge & Cornelia Strecker & Melanie Hausler & Alexandra Huber & Stefan Höfer, 2020. "Perceived Socio-moral Climate and the Applicability of Signature Character Strengths at Work: a Study among Hospital Physicians," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 463-484, April.
    18. Paula Yépez-Tito & Marta Ferragut & Shally Cóndor-Guerrón & Maria J. Blanca, 2022. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strenghs in Ecuatorian Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(2), pages 599-616, April.
    19. Gloria Hongyee Chan & Gabriel Kwun Wa Lee & Chris Yiu Wah Kong & T. Wing Lo, 2022. "An Innovative Model of Positive Education with Traditional Chinese Moral Values: An Evaluation of Project Bridge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-21, March.
    20. Valesca Y. Tobias & Marianne Woerkom & Maria Christina Meyers & Piety Runhaar & Arnold B. Bakker, 2023. "Thriving on Strengths: Effects of a Strengths Intervention for Younger and Older Teachers," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1121-1144, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00138-2. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.