The Influence of Caregiver Preparedness, Perceived Social Support and General Self-Efficacy on Self-Contribution Among Stroke Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hui Teng^1,2*Zhou Tan^1,2NI Meng Zhen²Qingxia Shu^2*

• ¹School of Medicine, Jishou University, Jishou, China
• ²Hunan University of Medicine General Hospital, Huaihua, China

Background: Caregivers' self-care contributions are crucial for enhancing stroke patients' self-care capabilities, and patients receiving family support often demonstrate higher treatment adherence. Although it is widely recognized that caregivers' preparedness to provide care positively influences self-care contributions, the underlying mechanisms of this association remain unclear. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which caregiver preparedness, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy influence caregiver readiness and self-care contribution among stroke caregivers in the contemporary Chinese context. Aim: Based on the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory (IFSMT) model, this study examined the effects of caregivers' caregiving preparedness, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy on their self-care contribution among stroke caregivers. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Using convenience sampling, 277 stroke caregivers from four tertiary Grade A hospitals in Xiangxi, Hunan Province, China were surveyed with paper-based questionnaires during outpatient follow-up visits in July 2024. Data were analyzed using SPSS/AMOS for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling with bootstrapping to test hypothesized relationships and mediation effects. Results: The self-care contribution was at a moderate level, showing significant positive correlations with caregiving preparedness, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy. Both perceived social support and general self-efficacy demonstrated partial mediating effects between caregiving preparedness and self-care contribution. Conclusion: Improving caregivers' self-care contribution requires focused attention on enhancing caregiving preparedness, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy. The study highlights the bridging role of perceived social support and general self-efficacy between preparedness and contribution. Clinical interventions should: ①strengthen preparedness through standardized training, ②build social support networks for psychological empowerment, and ③employ motivational interviewing to boost self-efficacy, thereby establishing a virtuous cycle of "knowledge-resources-confidence."