Understanding caregivers’ experiences and perspectives on online support: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: Family caregivers of people with dementia face emotional, physical, and social challenges. Online psychosocial interventions may offer valuable support when they are responsive to these challenges. However, little is known about how caregivers navigate online support in practice. This study explores caregivers' experiences and perspectives of online psychosocial support, identifies facilitators and barriers to online engagement, and highlights key features of meaningful online intervention. METHOD: This study used a qualitative explorative design, informed by Patient and Public Involvement and a reflexive approach. Twenty-eight caregivers were recruited. 15 semi-structured interviews and 3 focus groups were completed to gather caregivers' experiences. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: entering and navigating the online world; balancing the advantages and constraints; and expecting meaningful online support. While caregivers valued the accessibility and flexibility of online resources, barriers arose from online systems' complexity and usability challenges, and were often intensified by the emotional strain and time pressures of caregiving. Perceived benefits and barriers were shaped by the interplay of platform usability, caregiver characteristics, and current care demands. CONCLUSION: Online interventions should address the tension between the convenience and usability of digital delivery and caregivers' need for emotional presence and meaningful connection. Well-designed online interventions hold considerable potential to enhance accessibility and promote greater equity in caregiving support.