Direct and Indirect Predictors of Quality of Life Among Family Caregivers of Patients With Heart Failure

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex condition affecting 1%–2% of individuals in developed countries, with prevalence expected to rise. In advanced stages, HF often requires continuous support by informal caregivers, exposing them to physical and emotional burdens, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Objective: To identify direct and indirect factors associated with QoL among family caregivers of patients with HF. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled a total of 101 family caregivers. Participants completed the Family Caregiver Quality of Life Interview along with additional validated instruments relevant to HF and chronic disease caregiving, including measures of caregiver burden, life satisfaction, social support, and self-efficacy. Years of education and gender were also collected. Path analyses were conducted to examine the hypothesized predictors of QoL. Results: Caregivers’ mean age was 52 years; most were women, married, and adult children of the care recipient. QoL was directly associated with gender, years of education, and life satisfaction. Self-efficacy was associated with QoL only indirectly via life satisfaction. Both caregiver burden and social support were directly and indirectly associated with QoL. Social support was also directly and indirectly related to life satisfaction, with its indirect effect on QoL (via self-efficacy and life satisfaction) exceeding its direct effect. Similarly, caregiver burden had a stronger indirect effect on life satisfaction through self-efficacy than a direct effect. Conclusions: Personal and social resources, including life satisfaction, social support, and self-efficacy, play a crucial role in caregiver QoL. The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions focused on strengthening these resources within community care services.