Family Functioning Perceived by Caregiver Who Support the Elderly

Ko, Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study attempted to identify family functioning recognized by caregiver who support the elderly.
METHODS
Data was collected from 264 caregivers who live with elderly using questionnaires. The performance, satisfaction and importance of family functioning was assessed using the modified FFFS by Kang (1987) consisted of three dimension-'Relationship between Individual Family Members', 'Relationship between family and subsystem' and 'Relationship between family and broader social units'. The data was analyzed using SPSS/WIN by descriptive statistics, ANOVA and pearson's correlation.
RESULTS
The subjected Families showed a median level of performance (mean 4.06 +/- 0.65) and a high level of satisfaction (mean 1.04 +/- 0.71) in family functioning. Families recognized importance of family functioning above median level (mean 4.65 +/- 0.99). There was statistically significant difference in family functioning according to and duration of illness, illness and ADL of the elderly. In dimension of the relationship between individual family members and relationship between family and subsystem, there are significantly positive correlation among all aspect of family functioning. In relationship between family and social units, there are negative correlations between performance and importance (r = -.215) and between satisfaction and importance (r = -.194) while there are positive relationship between performance and satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Considering the results of this study, family-focused nursing interventions for families with the elderly need to be developed.