Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study

Background: Self-efficacy (SE) can be used to explain informal caregivers’ ability to cope with the challenges of caregiving. Although SE impacts informal caregivers’ subjective well-being, its effects have not yet been studied from the perspective of telecare use. This study aimed to explore inform...

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Main Authors: Simona Hvalič-Touzery, Kaja Smole-Orehek, Vesna Dolničar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/5/86
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author Simona Hvalič-Touzery
Kaja Smole-Orehek
Vesna Dolničar
author_facet Simona Hvalič-Touzery
Kaja Smole-Orehek
Vesna Dolničar
author_sort Simona Hvalič-Touzery
collection DOAJ
description Background: Self-efficacy (SE) can be used to explain informal caregivers’ ability to cope with the challenges of caregiving. Although SE impacts informal caregivers’ subjective well-being, its effects have not yet been studied from the perspective of telecare use. This study aimed to explore informal caregivers’ perceptions of and associations between SE and subjective well-being when using different telecare functionalities. Methods: A four-month intervention study using a qualitative research design was conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 informal caregivers of older people who tested one of two telecare devices in their homes. Results: Five task-specific dimensions of caregiver SE were identified that were shaped by telecare use: controlling upsetting thoughts about the care recipient, managing protective vigilance, obtaining support in emergency situations, managing caregiving, work, family life, and responding in a timely manner to changes in the care recipient’s daily routine. These SE dimensions were associated with caregivers’ subjective well-being. Conclusions: Telecare use may contribute to greater caregiver SE and higher subjective well-being. Therefore, future studies should pay more attention to these potential benefits of telecare. Additional dimensions of caregiver SE should be included in existing caregiver SE scales when examining caregiver SE related to telecare use.
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spelling doaj.art-dd7b5ecd3c0144b1a7675ac5eb94764f2023-11-24T00:17:59ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172022-08-01758610.3390/geriatrics7050086Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative StudySimona Hvalič-Touzery0Kaja Smole-Orehek1Vesna Dolničar2Centre for Social Informatics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCentre for Social Informatics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCentre for Social Informatics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaBackground: Self-efficacy (SE) can be used to explain informal caregivers’ ability to cope with the challenges of caregiving. Although SE impacts informal caregivers’ subjective well-being, its effects have not yet been studied from the perspective of telecare use. This study aimed to explore informal caregivers’ perceptions of and associations between SE and subjective well-being when using different telecare functionalities. Methods: A four-month intervention study using a qualitative research design was conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 informal caregivers of older people who tested one of two telecare devices in their homes. Results: Five task-specific dimensions of caregiver SE were identified that were shaped by telecare use: controlling upsetting thoughts about the care recipient, managing protective vigilance, obtaining support in emergency situations, managing caregiving, work, family life, and responding in a timely manner to changes in the care recipient’s daily routine. These SE dimensions were associated with caregivers’ subjective well-being. Conclusions: Telecare use may contribute to greater caregiver SE and higher subjective well-being. Therefore, future studies should pay more attention to these potential benefits of telecare. Additional dimensions of caregiver SE should be included in existing caregiver SE scales when examining caregiver SE related to telecare use.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/5/86assistive technologieshome monitoring devicessubjective well-beingself-efficacy dimensionsinformal caregiving for older peopleaging society
spellingShingle Simona Hvalič-Touzery
Kaja Smole-Orehek
Vesna Dolničar
Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study
Geriatrics
assistive technologies
home monitoring devices
subjective well-being
self-efficacy dimensions
informal caregiving for older people
aging society
title Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study
title_full Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study
title_fullStr Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study
title_short Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study
title_sort informal caregivers perceptions of self efficacy and subjective well being when using telecare in the home environment a qualitative study
topic assistive technologies
home monitoring devices
subjective well-being
self-efficacy dimensions
informal caregiving for older people
aging society
url https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/5/86
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