Burden in Informal Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients With Pressure Injuries: Perceived Social Support and Influencing Factors Care Burden in Palliative Caregivers

AIMS: This study was designed as a descriptive and correlational study to assess the burden experienced by caregivers of palliative care patients with pressure injuries, to identify the factors influencing this burden and to examine the role of perceived social support. METHODS: Data were collected from 138 informal caregivers of palliative care patients with pressure injuries in a state hospital. The Burden Interview and the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and hierarchical regression were conducted to identify factors associated with caregiver burden. RESULTS: Caregivers reported a high level of burden. Lower income status, difficulty experienced during caregiving and negative effects on family and social life were associated with greater burden. Higher perceived social support was associated with lower burden, indicating that social support plays a protective role for caregivers of patients with pressure injuries. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of palliative care patients with pressure injuries experience substantial burden influenced by socioeconomic and caregiving-related factors. Increased perceived social support contributes to reducing this burden and should be considered an essential component of caregiver-focused interventions.