Faith, Feelings, and Wellbeing: The Role of Emotional and Spiritual Support in Formal Elderly Caregiving

Background: The global rise in population aging is intensifying the demand for caregiving, placing heavy emotional, spiritual, and psychological pressures on those providing care. In Kenya, and particularly in Embu County, formal elderly caregivers operate within a context shaped by traditional communal values and modern institutional care frameworks. Despite their critical role, the interplay between emotional and spiritual support and caregiver well-being remains underexplored. Aim: This study investigated the role of emotional and spiritual support in shaping the psychological well-being of formal elderly caregivers in Embu County. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 caregivers sampled from licensed elderly care facilities across five sub-counties. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated caregiving assessment tools and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression models. Results: Emotional support was moderately and positively correlated with psychological well-being (R = .532, R² = .283, p < .001), while spiritual support demonstrated a slightly stronger positive correlation (R = .578, R² = .334, p < .001). Multiple regression analyses indicated that both emotional and spiritual support significantly predicted psychological well-being, with higher support levels associated with better psychological outcomes. Conclusion: Emotional and spiritual support are vital predictors of psychological well-being among formal elderly caregivers in Embu County. Policy and practice should emphasize culturally grounded interventions that integrate these support dimensions to enhance caregiver resilience and sustain quality elder care delivery.