The moderating role of care duration in the relationship between caregiving competence and burden among family caregivers in hospice care

Bibliographic Data

ID22078288
AuthorsZiying Yang (0000-0002-9606-4900, Nantong University), Xiaohui Yu (0000-0001-8880-2304, Wenzhou Medical University), Chao‐Jin Xu (Wenzhou Medical University), Cuikui Xu (Department of Oncology, Pingyang Branch, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University), Dong Zhou (0000-0002-1095-2668, Wenzhou Medical University), Shujuan Wu (0000-0002-7789-3519, Wenzhou Medical University), Lijun Wen (Wenzhou Medical University), Feiyu Lin (Nantong University), Hao Shen (0000-0003-3361-6058, Nantong University), Xiaqiang Wang (Medical School of Nantong University), 王夏强 王夏强 (Jiangsu University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1827792-1827792
Publication date2026-06-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1827792
PMID42381915
OpenAlexW7164943335
LanguageEN
References cited54

Background Caregiving competence is considered an important protective factor in reducing the burden of family caregivers in hospice care. However, whether this relationship is influenced by caregiving duration remains unclear. Previous studies have typically treated caregiving duration as a single quantitative indicator, overlooking potential differences arising from distinct temporal structures. Objective To examine the moderating role of caregiving duration in the relationship between caregiving competence and caregiver burden, with particular attention to two temporal structures: daily caregiving hours and continuous caregiving duration. Methods Family caregivers of patients receiving hospice care at a secondary hospital in Wenzhou between January 1 and July 31, 2025, were recruited using a convenience sampling method. A total of 345 caregivers participated in the study and completed a general information questionnaire, the Family Caregiver Task Inventory (FCTI), and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22). Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine associations among the variables, and the SPSS PROCESS macro was used to test moderating effects. Results Caregiving competence was significantly negatively correlated with caregiver burden (r = −0.876, P < 0.01). Daily caregiving hours (r = 0.604, P < 0.01) and continuous caregiving duration (r = 0.388, P < 0.01) were both positively associated with caregiver burden. Moderation analysis showed that daily caregiving hours had no significant moderating effect (B = 0.007, P = 0.563), whereas continuous caregiving duration significantly moderated the relationship (B = 0.0270, P = 0.004). Simple slope analysis indicated that the protective effect of caregiving competence on burden was stronger among caregivers with shorter caregiving duration (B = −1.609, P < 0.001) and weakened as caregiving duration increased (B = −1.374, P < 0.001). Conclusion The negative association between caregiving competence and burden may be influenced by caregiving time structure. Daily duration did not modify this association, but total cumulative time showed a trend toward a negative association with burden. Thus, cumulative caregiving length, not daily intensity, may be key. Public health practice should focus on long-term family caregivers and explore phased support based on caregiving trajectories to reduce caregiving-related mental health risks and improve hospice care system sustainability

Caregiver burden · Family caregivers · Moderation · Primary caregiver · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

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