This study aims to explore the depression level, social support status and caregiver preparedness of the main caregivers of stroke patients undergoing interventional treatment, analyze their interrelationships, and investigate the mediating effect of social support between depression and caregiver preparedness, providing a theoretical basis for improving postoperative care quality and promoting the mental health of caregivers.

Convenience sampling was used to select stroke patients and their main caregivers who received interventional surgery in a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu Province as the research subjects. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS) were used for the investigation. Multiple linear regression and mediation effect analysis were used to explore the interrelationships among depression, social support, and caregiver preparedness.

A total of 217 valid samples were included. The results showed that the depression level of the main caregivers was significantly negatively correlated with caregiver preparedness (P<0.01), while the social support score was significantly positively correlated with caregiver preparedness (P<0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that main caregivers with different occupational backgrounds, place of residence, availability of assistance from others, and prior caregiving experience were significantly associated with preparedness scores (P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that higher caregiving preparedness was significantly predicted by the following factors: the stroke patient being female (β=2.252), having a higher level of education (high school and college/university or above; β=2.784 and 5.104, respectively), and the primary caregiver being unmarried or divorced/widowed (β=5.171). Mediation effect analysis showed that subjective support played a partial mediating role between the depression of main caregivers and caregiver preparedness. After including the basic characteristics of caregivers as covariates, the mediating effect of social support remained significant (P<0.01).

The marital status of main caregivers and the educational level of stroke patients are important factors affecting caregiver preparedness. The depression of main caregivers is significantly negatively correlated with caregiver preparedness, while social support is significantly positively correlated. Further analysis revealed that social support, especially subjective support, plays a mediating role in the path by which depression affects the preparedness of main caregivers.