Korean J Hosp Palliat Care.  2011 Mar;14(1):20-27.

Effects of Death Education Program on Family Caregivers of Disabled Individuals

• Kim BR
• Cho OH
• Yoo YS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Death Education Program which had been provided to family caregivers of disabled individuals. A single group pretest-posttest design was employed for this study, which was conducted at a community rehabilitation center located in Ulsan, South Korea.
METHODS
Death Education Program was conducted for 16 family caregivers of disabled individuals who agreed to participate in this study. A 2.5-hour session was conducted once a week for 10 weeks. To investigate the effects of the education program, structured questionnaires, which assessed the patients and their family member's conceptions on the meaning of life, and their resilience, burden, and attitude towards death, were administered before and after the program.
RESULTS
The subjects' conception of the meaning of life and resilience did not significantly change. The median scores for the burden of family caregivers declined, while those for the subjects' attitude towards death increased, after attending the education program.
CONCLUSION
The findings showed that Death Education Program has an affirmative effect on the burden of family caregivers of disabled individuals and their attitude towards death.

Keyword

Caregivers; Disabled persons; Attitude to death; Psychological resilience

MeSH Terms

Attitude to Death
Caregivers
Disabled Persons
Fertilization
Humans
Rehabilitation Centers
Resilience, Psychological
Surveys and Questionnaires