Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40660116›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

Moderating role of positive aspects of caregiving in the relationship between caring burden and suicidal ideation in family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults with neurocognitive disorders.

Zhaohua Huo, Benjamin Hon-Kei Yip, Allen Ting-Chun Lee, Sheung-Tak Cheng, Wai Chi Chan, Ada Wai-Tung Fung, Suk Ling Ma, Calvin Pak-Wing Cheng, Frank Ho-Yin Lai, Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong and 1 more

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Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Zhaohua HuoDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Benjamin Hon-Kei YipThe Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Allen Ting-Chun LeeDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Sheung-Tak ChengDepartment of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Wai Chi ChanDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Ada Wai-Tung FungDepartment of Sports and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Suk Ling MaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Calvin Pak-Wing ChengDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Frank Ho-Yin LaiDepartment of Social Work, Education & Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK.
Samuel Yeung-Shan WongThe Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Linda Chiu-Wa LamDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. cwlam@cuhk.edu.hk.

Funding

Health and Medical Research Fund MHS-P1(Part 3)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPsychological distress is common in family caregivers of individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). This study examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation in this population, and explored the moderating role of positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) in mitigating such severe psychological difficulties.

methods445 older adults (NCDs: 322, normal cognition: 123) and their family caregivers were recruited from the population-based Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey for Older Persons. Caregivers' suicidal ideation was screened by positive response to Item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9: thoughts of being better off dead or self-harm in the past two weeks. PAC were measured using a validated scale. A conceptual model was developed to test the mediation and moderation effects among caregiving burden, psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and PAC.

resultsNearly one in ten (9%) dementia caregivers reported suicidal ideation in the past two weeks. Higher prevalence was observed among female carers, those with comorbid mood disorders, and those caring for individuals with high comorbidity or functional dependence. Psychological distress significantly mediated the relationship between caregiving burden and suicidal ideation (80.5%, p = 0.023). PAC moderated this pathway: higher levels of PAC were associated with reduced suicidal ideation among carers with moderate-to-high caregiving burden (p < 0.05). However, a rebound in suicidal ideation was observed in caregivers experiencing both high burden and high PAC.

conclusionsSuicidal ideation among NCD caregivers is closely linked to caregiving burden and psychological distress. PAC plays a complex and non-linear moderating role in this relationship. Psychological intervention that strengthens PAC should be integrated into comprehensive caregiver support programmes, particularly for those experiencing high burden and high distress.

Indexed as

CaregiversCost of IllnessIndependent LivingNeurocognitive DisordersSuicidal IdeationAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHong KongHumansMaleMiddle AgedPsychological DistressStress, PsychologicalCarerCognitive impairmentDementiaPositive gainSuicide

Identifiers

PMID40660116
PMCPMC12257795

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.