A Study on Burden and Well-being of Primary Caregivers of Patients with a Stroke

Lim, You Jin; Cho, Bok Hee; Jang, Hyun Sook; Jeong, Hyun Ju

Abstract

PURPOSE
S: The purposes of this study were to identify factors related to burden and well-being in primary caregivers of patients who have had a stroke and examine the correlation between burden and well-being of the caregivers.
METHODS
Between April 2006 to June 2007 data were collected using self-report questionnaires and interviews with 85 primary caregivers of stroke patients in C University Hospital. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test and Pearson's correlation with SPSSWIN 15.0.
RESULTS
Factors related to burden of primary caregivers were sex and activities of daily living of the patients, and age, education level and satisfaction with income of the caregivers. The factors related to well-being of primary caregivers were sex of patients, and age and education level of caregivers as well as cohabitation with the patient. A negative correlation was found between burden and well-being of the caregivers (r= -.393, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
These results indicate a need to develop a nursing intervention program for caregivers and education program for other family members to reduce caregiver burden. These programs should lead to improvements in the well-being of the caregiver.