Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  1998 Dec;1(1):1-14.

A Study on the Influencing Factors in Family Functioning of Stroke Patients

• Cho BH

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting family functioning of stroke patients. A descriptive survey research was conducted in which 65 stroke patients and their primary caregivers were conveniently sampled. Data were collected from July to September, 1998 through interviewing using a structured questionnare. The measuring instruments used were Barthel Index by Mahoney and Barthel(15 items), Quality of Relationship Scale by Archbold and Stewart(15 items), Role Stress of Caregiver Scale by Yang(14 items), Situational Definition Scale by Lee(9 items), Family Hardiness Index by McCubbin, McCubbin and Thompson(20 items), and Family Adaptability Cohesion Evaluation Scale(FACES-III) by Olson, Portner, and Lavee(20 items). The obtained data were analyzed using percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, and Pearson coefficients correlation by SAS/PC program. The results were as follows; 1. Role Stress of Caregiver was not severe and Quality of Relationship was moderate. The level of Situation Definition of primary caregivers was not high but Family Hardiness and Family Functioning were rather high. 2. The following relationships between research variables and demographic characteristics of the primary caregivers of stroke patients were significantly different; occupation of caregiver between Quality of Relationship, occupation of caregiver between Situational Definition, family type between Role Stress, caregiving duration between Family Hardiness, caregiving duration between Family Functioning, and hospitalization days between Family Functioning. 3. The correlations between research variables were as follows; There was positively correlated between patient's ADL and Quality of Relationship. The relationship of the patient's ADL between Role Stress was negatively correlated. Quality of Relationship between Situational Definition, Family Hardiness, and Family Functioning were significantly correlated. The correlation of Situational Definition between Family Hardiness, and Situation Definition between Family Functioning were very high. As a result of these findings, Quality of Relationship, Role Stress, Situational Definition, and Family Hardiness were useful variables for identifying Family Functioning of stroke patients. It is important for the rehabilitation nurse to be knowledgeable about family functioning of stroke patients to promote rehabilitation process.

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Caregivers
Hospitalization
Humans
Occupations
Rehabilitation
Stroke*