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Effects of virtual networks on caregiving self-efficacy, quality of life, and care burden among informal carers of patients with complex health conditions
Author(s)
Date Issued
2026
Citation
Leung, D. S. Y., & Liu, B. C. P. (6 Jul 2026). Effects of virtual networks on caregiving self-efficacy, quality of life, and care burden among informal carers of patients with complex health conditions. International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics World Congress of Gerontology 2026, RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Background
The study was based on a hospital-based health education project for informal carers in Hong Kong. It aimed to explore the impact of informal carers’ networks and self-efficacy in caregiving on their quality of life and burden of care.
Study Setup (Methods)
This cross-sectional retrospective design assessed 200 randomly selected carers using the Lubben Social Network Scale, the Caregiver Self-Efficacy in Contributing to Patient Self-Care Scale, a single-item on loneliness, the EQ Health and Wellbeing Scale, and the Zarit Burden Interview.
Results
Participants had a mean age of 59.2 ±12.3 years (range: 25-86). Most of them were female (73%) and married (63.5%) with an average of 31.6 ±30.6 hours of caregiving per week. Conditional process analysis indicated that carers who used the internet for more than three hours a day moderated the effect of social network on caregiving self-efficacy (unstandardized B=.0147, p<.05). This, in turn, was associated with improved quality of life and a reduced burden of care (Indirect effect=-.4780, 95%CI=-1.0168, -.1273) (The index of moderated mediation: -.0016; 95% CI=-.0037~-.0003).
Discussion
Social network size alone did not enhance carers’ caregiving self-efficacy, but frequent internet users benefited from online support that strengthened their confidence and skills. This improvement was associated with better health-related quality of life and a reduced caregiving burden. Virtual networks can broaden carers’ access to information and resources, thereby improving their self-efficacy and competence in caring for frail family members. Therefore, health and social care professionals should develop more digital health interventions to enhance carers’ knowledge, skills, and connections with support networks.
The study was based on a hospital-based health education project for informal carers in Hong Kong. It aimed to explore the impact of informal carers’ networks and self-efficacy in caregiving on their quality of life and burden of care.
Study Setup (Methods)
This cross-sectional retrospective design assessed 200 randomly selected carers using the Lubben Social Network Scale, the Caregiver Self-Efficacy in Contributing to Patient Self-Care Scale, a single-item on loneliness, the EQ Health and Wellbeing Scale, and the Zarit Burden Interview.
Results
Participants had a mean age of 59.2 ±12.3 years (range: 25-86). Most of them were female (73%) and married (63.5%) with an average of 31.6 ±30.6 hours of caregiving per week. Conditional process analysis indicated that carers who used the internet for more than three hours a day moderated the effect of social network on caregiving self-efficacy (unstandardized B=.0147, p<.05). This, in turn, was associated with improved quality of life and a reduced burden of care (Indirect effect=-.4780, 95%CI=-1.0168, -.1273) (The index of moderated mediation: -.0016; 95% CI=-.0037~-.0003).
Discussion
Social network size alone did not enhance carers’ caregiving self-efficacy, but frequent internet users benefited from online support that strengthened their confidence and skills. This improvement was associated with better health-related quality of life and a reduced caregiving burden. Virtual networks can broaden carers’ access to information and resources, thereby improving their self-efficacy and competence in caring for frail family members. Therefore, health and social care professionals should develop more digital health interventions to enhance carers’ knowledge, skills, and connections with support networks.
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