P26: Variables associated with having psychosocial and healthcare needs among unpaid carers in Chile: Data from the National Disability and Care Dependence Survey (ENDIDE) 2022

Abstract

Background: There is a dearth of research on the health and psychosocial support needs of unpaid carers in low- and middle-income countries, where approximately 80% of all people living with a disability or functional impairment and who may need support with their activities of daily living currently reside.

Objectives: To explore the variables associated with having the perception of psychosocial or health support needs among a sample of unpaid carers of people living with a disability and/or functional impairment inChile.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of a nationwide, population-based survey involving sociodemographic, care, and mental health related data of 1,900 individuals aged 13 and older who reported being the primary carer for someone with care needs in their household (adults or older persons). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used.

Results: Being widowed/divorced, providing more hours of care, more personal care tasks, with an increased level of perceived difficulty, were independently linked with higher odds of having psychosocial or health support needs. Experiencing (most of the time) low interest/depressive mood, low energy, and anxiety, were associated with 0.6-, 0.9-, and 0.7-times higher odds of having unmet psychosocial and healthcare needs, respectively, compared to experiencing these a few times. Having low sense of control most of the time led to 2.6 higher odds of having psychosocial or health support needs compared to those who felt this way only afewtimes.

Conclusions: Variables related to the care provision and mental health, which could be improved with the receipt of more formal support, were the strongest factors related with unmet psychosocial and healthcare needs.