Understanding Caregiving Beyond Burden: Needs, Coping, Support, and Well-Being

Aruna Maruthi

Abstract: Family caregiving can involve substantial physical, emotional, social, and financial demands, and caregiver burden has consequently received considerable attention in research. While this focus is important, burden alone may not fully represent the caregiving experience. Caregivers differ in their needs, coping responses, available support and resources, and experiences of well-being, and difficult and positive aspects of caregiving may coexist. This narrative review examines caregiving through four interconnected dimensions: caregiver needs, coping, social support and resources, and caregiver well-being and life satisfaction. Relevant literature, with particular attention to Indian caregiving contexts, was reviewed to examine how these dimensions contribute to a broader understanding of caregiving beyond burden alone. The review suggests that recognising a caregiver?s need is distinct from having the resources to meet that need, and that difficulty accessing appropriate support should not automatically be interpreted as inadequate coping. It also highlights that meaning, satisfaction, competence, connection, or personal growth may coexist with strain, but should neither be assumed nor prescribed as expected outcomes of caregiving. The review therefore emphasises the importance of understanding what is difficult for the individual caregiver, what is needed, what coping resources are already available, and what support is missing before considering intervention. A practical Caregiver Reflection and Support Guide is proposed to help caregivers identify these dimensions and consider personally relevant, evidence-informed responses. The paper advocates a need-responsive, culturally sensitive approach that acknowledges caregiver burden without allowing burden alone to define the caregiving experience.

Keywords: caregiving; caregiver needs; coping; social support; caregiver well-being; positive aspects of caregiving; caregiver support

How to Cite?: Aruna Maruthi, "Understanding Caregiving Beyond Burden: Needs, Coping, Support, and Well-Being", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 895-907, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26914011059, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26914011059

Download Citation: APA | MLA | BibTeX | EndNote | RefMan