Perceived Caregiver Strain in Carers of Patients Living with Heart Failure in Collectivist Societies

Background Informal caregivers represent the backbone of community-based Heart Failure management, providing nearly 90% of long-term in-home care. Within the caregiving science framework, they function as primary care partners and essential contributors to dyadic illness management. However, the high care dependency associated with Heart Failure, coupled with limited formal system support, places these caregivers at elevated risk for caregiver burden, role strain, and adverse psychosocial outcomes. The aim of this seconday analysis is to identify predictors of caregiver strain among informal caregivers of patients living with Heart Failure in a collectivist society. Methods 108 patient caregiver who completed questionnaires on caregiver strain, social support, quality of life, caregiving context and needs, caregivers’ appraisal of dyadic relationship quality, and dyadic typology. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine associations between caregiver strain and relevant sociodemographic, clinical, and relational variables. Variables significant at the bivariate level were subsequently entered into a multivariable linear regression model to identify independent predictors of caregiver strain. Results On average 37.73 ± 50.67 hours were dedicated for caregiving by informal caregivers. In this sample, decreased caregiver strain was associated with increased patient symptomatology while significant association was identified between increased caregiver strain and poor perceived dyadic relationship quality. A higher feeling of being stressed in caregiving, a lower mental quality of life, and a lower caregiver perceived relationship quality explained about 63% of the variance in Caregiver Strain. Conclusion Findings from this study underscore the central role of caregiver strain within the Heart Failure caregiving dyad and highlight the need for systematic assessment of caregiver burden in clinical practice. By proactively identifying caregiver strain and addressing modifiable psychosocial and relational determinants, healthcare professionals can enhance caregiving effectiveness, support adaptive dyadic functioning, and safeguard caregivers’ psychological and physical well-being. Integrating caregiver-focused education on self-care, symptom management, structured discharge planning, and longitudinal follow-up into routine Heart Failure care may promote more sustainable informal caregiving in collectivist contexts.