J Nurs Acad Soc.  1985 Apr;15(1):30-43.

A Study on Liver Cirrhosis Patients' Sick Role Behavior

• Kim OS

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis is the common cause of death in Korea today. But, if liver cirrhosis patients were treated in the early stage of the disease process, they can have a chance to carry their daily lives with prescribed medical and nursing regimens. Each patient has different health beliefs that there is a different Sick Role Behavior in the process of treatment. In order to increase and control the desired patient's Sick Role Behavior, it is important for nurses to understand the health beliefs influencing Sick Role Behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing Sick Role Behavior and provide objective and scientific data to health education, treatment and nursing care. The subjects for this study were 80 Liver Cirrhosis patients selected from in and out patients of the medical department of four University Hospitals in Seoul, Won Joo and Mok Po city. Data was collected from Sep. 18, to Oct. 15, 1984. The measurement tool was the questionnaire that developed by the investigator from the literature review based on Health Belief Model. The data Collection was done by interview. Analysis of data was done by use Mean, S.D., ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Stepwise Multiple Regression. The result of study were as follows: 1. The significant influencing variables on the Liver Cirrhosis Patient's Sick Role Behavior in general characteristics were Sex, Marital Status, Educational levels, Family's income and Duration after diagnosis. 2. Between the Sick Role Behavior and Health Belief Model, a) The first hypothesis that the stronger degree of Health Motivation, the higher degree of Liver Cirrhosis Patient's Sick Role Behavior was supported (r=0.7892, p=0.0000). b) The second hypothesis that the higher degree of perceived susceptibility, the higher degree of Liver Cirrhosis Patients' Sick Role Behavior was supported (r=0.6383, p=0.0000) c) The third hypothesis that the higher degree of perceived severity, the higher degree of Live Cirrhosis Patients' Sick Role Behavior was supported (r=0.5869, p=0.0000). d) The fourth hypothesis that the higher degree of perceived benefit, the higher degree of Liver Cirrhosis patient's Sick role Behavior was supported (r=0.7535, p=0.0000). e) The fifth hypothesis that the lower degree of perceived barrier, the higher degree of Liver Cirrhosis Patient's Sick Role Behavior was supported (r=-0.7709, p=0.0000). f) The sixth hypothesis that the higher degree of knowledge in disease, the higher degree of Liver Cirrhosis patients' Sick Role Behavior was supported (r=0.7538, p=0.0000). g) In the correlation among variables, it was found positive correlation except that perceived barrier was negatively correlated. 3. In the Stepwise Multiple Regression and Independent Variables, the factor "Health Motivation" could account for Sick Role Behavior in 62.28% of the Sample (F=128.786, p<0.01). When the factor "perceived barrier" is added to this, it account for 70.38% of Sick Role Behavior (F=93.479, p<0.01) and the factor "knowledge in disease" is also included, it account for 74.78% of Sick Role Behavior (F=75.131, p<0.01). Finally, when the factor "perceived susceptibility" is included, it account for 75.03% of Sick Role Behavior (F=56.329, p<0.01).

MeSH Terms

Cause of Death
Data Collection
Diagnosis
Fibrosis
Health Education
Hospitals, University
Humans
Korea
Liver Cirrhosis*
Liver*
Marital Status
Motivation
Nursing
Nursing Care
Outpatients
Surveys and Questionnaires
Research Personnel
Seoul
Sick Role*