Study on the status of the caring ability of family caregivers for stroke patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the status and influencing factors of the care ability of family caregivers for stroke patients.

MethodsThe status of 186 family caregivers of stroke patients were investigated using the questionnaires of the Family Caregiver Task Inventory(FCTI) and General Information Questionnaire(GSES).

ResultsThe overall mean score of FCTI in the family caregivers of stroke patients was(17.26±2.07), the general self-efficacy was at a moderate level(25.13±4.76) scores, and the each dimension score of FCTI was negatively correlated with self-efficacy of family caregiver(r=-0.546~-0.395, P < 0.01).The higher the self-efficacy was, the greater the caring ability was.The caring ability of family caregiver was affected by the caregivers' age, duration of care, physical condition, self-efficacy and dependency of patients, the regression coefficient of those was -0.36, -0.51, -0.71, -2.62 and 1.05, respectively(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The care abilities of caregivers with old age, longer care duration, high self-efficacy and low dependence on the care of stroke patients, and without chronic diseases were stronger.

ConclusionsNursing staff should strengthen the help to family caregivers of patients with high dependence, pay attention to the physical and mental health of family caregiver, and take measures to improve the self-efficacy of caregivers to ensure the quality of care.