Exploring factors and caregiver outcomes associated with feelings of preparedness for caregiving in family caregivers in palliative care: a correlational, cross-sectional study
- Författare
- Henriksson A, Årestedt K.
- Titel
- Exploring factors and caregiver outcomes associated with feelings of preparedness for caregiving in family caregivers in palliative care: a correlational, cross-sectional study
- Utgivningsår
- 2013
- Tidskrift
- Palliat Med
- Volym
- 27
- Häfte
- 7
- Sidor
- 639-46
- Sammanfattning
BACKGROUND: Family caregivers in palliative care often report feeling
insufficiently prepared to handle the caregiver role. Preparedness has been
confirmed as a variable that may actually protect family caregiver well-being.
Preparedness refers to how ready family caregivers perceive they are for the
tasks and demands in the caregiving role.
AIM: The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with preparedness
and to further investigate whether preparedness is associated with caregiver
outcomes.
DESIGN: This was a correlational study using a cross-sectional design.
SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: The study took place in three specialist palliative care
units and one haematology unit. A total of 125 family caregivers of patients with
life-threatening illness participated.
RESULT: Preparedness was significantly associated with higher levels of hope and
reward and with a lower level of anxiety. In contrast, preparedness was not
associated with depression or health. Being female and cohabiting with the
patient were significantly associated with a higher level of preparedness. The
relationship to the patient was significantly associated with preparedness, while
social support, place of care, time since diagnosis and age of the patients
showed no association.
CONCLUSION: Feelings of preparedness seem to be important for how family
caregivers experience the unique situation when caring for a patient who is
severely ill and close to death. Our findings support the inclusion of
preparedness in support models for family caregivers in palliative care.
Psycho-educational interventions could preferably be designed aiming to increase
family caregiver's preparedness to care, including practical care, communication
and emotional support.