The Relationship between Pain Level and Perceived Family Support and Quality of Life in Musculoskeletal Patients with Chronic Pain

근골격계 만성통증 환자가 지각한 통증, 가족지지 및 삶의 질과의 관계

The purpose of study is to identify the relation between pain level and perceived family support and quality of life in musculoskeletal patient with chronic pain. The subjects for the study consist of 155 patients with musculoskeletal pain that received medical treatment in hospital or by attending hospital in Chonju. The data were collected during the period from August 5 to August 14, 1998 by means of interviews with structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics. t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, Regression. Cronbach alpha using the SAS program. The result of this study were as follows : 1. The mean score of pain was 8.02, family support was 3.88 and quality of life was 3.07. 2. Hypothesis : The first hypothesis that 'The lower pain level is, the higher quality of life is' was accepted (r=-.2178, p= .0065). In addition, pain level of musculoskeletal patient with chronic pain provided predicted 4.7%(F=7.619, P= .0065) of quality of life. The second hypothesis that 'The higher perceived family support is, the lower pain level is' was rejected (r=-.0376, p= .6425). The third hypothesis that 'The higher perceived family support is, is higher quality of life is' was accepted (r= .3212, p= .0001). In addition, perceived family support of musculoskeletal patient with chronic pain provided predicted 10.31% (F=17.597, p= .0001) of quality of life. 3. General characteristics related pain were age(F=6.85, p= .0001),educational-level(F=9.29, p= .0001), occupation(F=5.81, p= .0037), marriage status(F=8.09, p= .0005), family numbers(F=5.73, p= .001), benefits of medical care(F=4.09, p= .0019), pain period(F=9.52, p= .0001), part of pain(F=2.33, p= .0352), pain period(F=3.08, p= .0181). 4. General characteristics related pain were sex(t=3.20, p= .0017), support sources(t=3.26, p= .0014), pain period(F-4.52, p= .0018). 5. General characteristics related pain were religion(t=3.11. p= .0022), benefits of medical care(F=3.61, p= .0293), pain duration(F=3.03, p= .0195). In conclusion, perceived family support in musculoskeletal patient with chronic pain is an important factor that can improve their quality of life. Therefore, nurses must establish nursing plan included patient's family when nurses carry out nursing intervention and education for patient so that a patient promote quality of life by maintaining optimal wellbeing.