The Association between Caring Behavior, Self-Efficacy, and Work Engagement among Formal Caregivers Serving Children with Intellectual Disability

Background: Not only caring behavior in caregivers of children with intellectual disability assumes great significance but it also pertains to improved caring quality. On the account that caring behavior can be influenced by self-efficacy and work engagement; consequently, this study was conducted aiming to determine the association between caring behavior, self-efficacy, and work engagement among formal caregivers serving children with intellectual disability in rehabilitation centers of Tehran in 2022. Method: A descriptive-correlational survey, this study consisted of 203 formal caregivers serving children with intellectual disability from rehabilitation centers. A demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Caring Dimensions Inventory (CDI), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10), and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were the tools utilized to collect the data. Data analysis was accomplished using SPSS software version 16 in two descriptive and inferential statistics phases. Results: The general results indicated that caring behavior significantly and positively correlated with self-efficacy; i.e. as self-efficacy rises, so does the caring behavior (P=0.014). Furthermore, work engagement was found to be significant as shown by the regression model (p = 0.001), considering that the coefficient of the model was 0.42. In other words, enhanced work engagement was tantamount to higher caring behavior by 0.42%. Conclusion: As self-efficacy and work engagement do increase, so do the caring behaviors in caregivers. These results can offer the knowledge base to healthcare policymakers, particularly managers of rehabilitation centers, to embrace well-written programs, in-service training and enhance the working conditions. As a result, the basis for revising the official caregivers’ behaviors would be hopefully provided.