Caregiver burden and mental health among informal caregivers of older adults in Lebanon

Background: The global population is aging, increasing demand for informal caregivers. In Lebanon - where caregiving is primarily family-based due to cultural norms and limited institutional care -research on caregiver burden and mental health is limited. Aims: This study provides the first community based, multi-governorate evidence from Lebanon quantifying caregiver burden, examining its association with mental health and exploring gender differences in an under-researched Arab sociocultural setting. Method: Data based on two cross-sectional studies (2013-2017) across three governorates. Among 739 informants of older adults, 144 informal caregivers providing occasional or frequent care were analyzed. Caregiver burden and mental health measured using validated tools (Zarit burden interview and self-reporting questionnaire). Bivariate and logistic regression analyses identified correlates and quantified the burden-mental health association. Results: < 0.001). Being female, living with care-recipient, providing hands-on care, and caring for someone who requires assistance most of the time significantly increased burden. All burdened caregivers were female. Conclusion: This community-based study provides new insight into caregiver burden and mental health in Lebanon. Caregiver burden in Lebanon appears low but may be under-reported due to cultural norms. When present, burden is strongly linked to poorer mental health, particularly among women. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory signals that align with global literature and highlight the need for culturally sensitive, gender-responsive caregiver support and mental health services. Results can inform policy and future research in Lebanon and similar Arab contexts. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12982-026-01466-4.