The degree of burden and depression in family caregivers of patients with stroke

뇌졸중 환자의 자가간호 수행수준에 따른 환자가족의 부담감과 우울정도에 관한 연구

This study was undertaken to identify the degree of burden and depression according to level of self-care activity and variables to which affect that in family caregivers of patients with stroke. The data were collected from October 23th to November 20th, 1995 The subjects in this study were 80 caregivers, that is, one family member and 80 patients with stroke who were hospitalized in one oriental medicine hospital in D city. The questionnaires consisted of questions regarding burden(13 items, 6 point scale), depression(20 items, 4 point scale), and self-care activity(15 items, 5 point sacle) Data were analyzed using percentages, means, t-test and ANOVA with the SAS program. The results of this study are as follows: 1) The mean score for client's self-care activity was 2.58. The highest score of the self-care activity item was 'returning'(M=3.604), and the lowest score of the self-care activity item was 'shower or tubbathing'(M=1.925). 2) the degrees of self-care activity according to the general characteristics of patients were tested. It was significantly different by sex(P<0.01), occupation(P<0.05), and relationships with patients(P<0.05). That is, the degree of self-care activity was higher in men than that of women, and caregiver with job than caregiver without that. In the case that caregiver was a patient's spouse, the degree of self-care activity was higher than other case. 3) The score for family caregiver's burden was higher than the mid level for the 13 items and caregiver's depression was relatively low. 4) According to the degree of self-care activity, the group was divided to 3, that is, A( 15-33), B(34-56), and C(57-75). The score of total burden was the highest in group A(M=55.257) and the lowest in group C(M=51.928), but there were no statistically significant differences between groups. The score of objective burden was the highest in group A(M=30.400), and the lowest in group C(M=25.214), and there were statistically significant differences between groups. The score of subjective burden was the highest in group B(M=26.000) and the lowest in group A(M=24.783), but there were no statistically significant differences between groups. The degree of depression was the highest in group A(M=44.750) and the lowest in group C(M=40.751), but there were no statistically significant differences between groups.