Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate levels of perceived social support and caregiver burden among family caregivers of palliative care patients and to examine their relationship. As a secondary objective, the association between sociodemographic characteristics and caregiver burden was investigated.

Material and methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2024 and June 2025 at the Palliative Care Application and Research Center of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital. The study included 75 family caregivers who had been providing primary care to palliative care patients for at least six months. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Zarit caregiver burden scale (ZCBS), and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). Appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, as well as correlation analyses, were applied.

Results

Of the participants, 56% were female, and the mean age was 49.24 ±12.85 years. The mean total score of the MSPSS was 56.37 ±19.02, while the mean ZCBS score was 40.79 ±13.74. Caregiver burden was significantly higher among non-working caregivers and those whose income was lower than their expenses (p < 0.05). Married caregivers reported significantly higher levels of perceived social support compared to unmarried caregivers (p < 0.05). No statistically significant association was found between perceived social support and caregiver burden (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

In this study, caregiver burden among family caregivers of palliative care patients was found to be primarily associated with socioeconomic factors rather than with perceived social support. These findings suggest that caregiver support interventions in palliative care should extend beyond social support and also address economic and structural needs.