Dr. LIU Chi Pun, BenBenDr. LIU Chi PunLeung, Dion Sik-yeeDion Sik-yeeLeung2025-08-142025-08-142024Liu, C. P., & Leung, S. Y. (9 Nov 2024). Digital competence, caregiving selfefficacy, and social connectedness among informal carers of hospitalised patients. The Future Development of Caregiving Policy and Practice in Hong Kong: International Perspectives and Local Initiatives, Hong Kong Shue Yan University.https://echs.sfu.edu.hk/sfu_files/Conference/conference%20programme.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/24519The study explores the mechanisms in the association between self-efficacy in caregiving (SEC), digital competence (DC), and loneliness among 200 informal carers for hospitalized patients. Conditional process analysis reveals a moderated mediation effect of DC on social network, and SEC, increasing carers’ healthrelated quality of life and reducing loneliness. Our model also found that a larger social network significantly reduced caregiving hours and the burden of care, correspondingly reducing loneliness. Results suggested that better digital competence can increase carers’ self-efficacy in caregiving, resulting in positive caregiving outcomes. Therefore, health and social care practitioners should effectively use technology-based interventions to enhance carers’ competence in caregiving. Strategies to strengthen carers’ social connectedness are also essential to combat the negative outcomes of caregiving.enConference Paper