Impact of Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem on Caregiver Burden in Formal and Informal Caregivers of People with Dependency: A Systematic Review.

Background/Objectives: Although self-efficacy and self-esteem have been associated with caregiver well-being, the available evidence remains fragmented across different caregiving populations and outcomes. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the relationship between self-efficacy, self-esteem, and caregiver burden among formal and informal caregivers of dependent individuals, providing an integrative framework to clarify the protective role of these psychological resources. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, including fifty-six studies of medium and high methodological quality identified through exhaustive searches of international databases up to March 2026. Results: The evidence shows a consistent negative association between self-efficacy and caregiver burden, indicating that greater confidence in caregiving abilities is linked to lower perceived stress and better quality of life among caregivers of people with disabilities and dependency, while self-esteem, although less frequently studied, is associated with higher resilience, lower emotional vulnerability, and more adaptive responses to caregiving demands. Conclusions: From a public health and disability perspective, these findings underscore the central role of psychological resources in caregiver outcomes and suggest that interventions designed to strengthen self-efficacy and self-esteem are key strategies for reducing caregiver burden, enhancing well-being, and improving the long-term sustainability of care.