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Burnout in Family Caregivers of Older Adults: A Concept Analysis Using the Walker and Avant Approach

Document Type : Original article

Authors
Farzaneh Ghanei Zare 1
Abbas Heydari 2
1 Ph.D, Student in Nursing, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifeery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,Iran
2 Professor, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/nnj.2026.94453.1542
Abstract
Background and Aims: Family caregivers provide the majority of long-term care for older adults and are exposed to substantial physical, psychological, and social strain, often leading to burnout. Despite numerous studies, the conceptual nature of burnout among family caregivers of older adults has not been clearly defined.: This study aimed to analyze the concept of burnout in family caregivers of older adults by identifying its defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences.
Materials and Methods: A concept analysis was conducted using Walker and Avant’s eight-step model (2005). A systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. English and Persian studies were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and duplicates were removed.
Finally, 18 studies were included in the analysis. Key characteristics, definitions, antecedents, attributes, and consequences were extracted and analyzed according to the framework.
Results: Defining attributes included emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced energy, feelings of helplessness, and decreased caregiving effectiveness. Major antecedents were prolonged caregiving burden, lack of social support, financial strain, and severity of the older adult’s dependency. Key consequences included anxiety, depression, physical health problems, reduced quality of life, and impaired quality of care. Burnout was defined as a multidimensional syndrome resulting from sustained caregiving demands with insufficient support.
Conclusion: Burnout among family caregivers of older adults is a complex multidimensional phenomenon. Clarifying this concept can guide the development of valid assessment tools, supportive interventions, and policies to improve caregiver well-being and care quality.
Keywords
Burnout
Family caregivers
Older adults
Concept analysis
Walker and Avant
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Navid No
Volume 29, Issue 98
Summer 2026
Pages 21-37