Cultural Influences on Caregiving Burden: Cases of Koreans and Americans

Abstract

This study compared cultural influences on caregiver burdens of Korean adult children and American adult children caring for parents with dementia, and identified culturally specific values, norms, and customs associated with low or high burden. The findings suggested that the low burden of the Korean caregivers was associated with extended family support and high filial responsibility while that of the American caregivers was related to the use of formal services and high gratification from caregiving. Obversely, the high burden of the Koreans was seen to be associated with limited formal services outside the family and low gratification from caregiving for in-laws while that of the Americans was suggested to be due to limited extended family support and low filial responsibility. Needs for culturally-appropriate interventions are discussed.