J Korean Acad Adult Nurs.  1997 Dec;9(3):512-530.

The Relationship between Perceived Family Support and Quality of Life in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

• Kim EY

Abstract

This study was designed to identify the relationship between perceived family support and quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis. The subjects for this study were the 136 patients with liver cirrhosis that received hospital treatment in 1 general hospitals as Kwang-Ju City in Chonbuk and 3 general hospitals at Kwang-Ju City. The data were collected during the period from May 24 to August 2, 1997 by means of an interview utilized a structured questionnaire. Peceived family support was measured by the family support questionnaire that Kim, Eunu-Young(1996) used for her study about the relationships between perceived family support and self-care agency in adults with diabetes and the author of this study modified it instrument. Quality of life was measured by the quality of life instrument that Ro You-Ja(1998) developed by and analytical study of the quality of life the middle-aged in seoul and modified by the author of this study. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Peraon's correlation, and Simple regression using the SPSS PC+ program. The results of this study were as follows: 1. relationship between perceived family support and quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis revealed a significant correlation(r=0.581, p=.000). In addition, perceived family support in patients with liver cirrhosis provided predicted 32.37%(F=63.87, p=.000) of quality of life. 2. There were significant associations between perceived family support and religion(t=4.11, p=.000), occupation(f=4.40, p=.002), and the number of family(f=8.19, p=.000). There were significant associations between quality of life and occupation(f=7.52, p=.000), and economic state(f=3.30, p=.022) among general character. In conclusion, this study revealed that perceived family support in patients with liver cirrhosis may be an important factor that can improve their quality of life. Therefore, nurses must establish nursing plan included their family when nurse carry out nursing intervention and education for patients so that a patient promote quality of life by maintaining optimal well-being state.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Education
Gwangju
Hospitals, General
Humans
Jeollabuk-do
Liver Cirrhosis*
Liver*
Nursing
Quality of Life*
Self Care
Seoul