Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Patients in Intensive Care Units
10.34250/jkccn.2024.17.2.12
- Author:
Kyeong Mi KONG
1
;
Sunjoo BOO
;
Youngjin LEE
;
Jeong-Ah AHN
Author Information
1. Registered Nurse, Ajou University Medical Center, MSN, Ajou University College of Nursing, Suwon, South Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:
Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
2024;17(2):12-24
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:: This study aimed to identify factors influencing the quality of life of family caregivers of intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
Methods:: We conducted a study using a cross-sectional design. The study involved 109 family caregivers of ICU patients at a university-affiliated hospital in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires between July 2020 and April 2021 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis.
Results:: The study revealed significant differences in quality of life based on economic status (F=11.63, p ＜ .001), cohabitation with patients (t=-2.04, p=.044), sleep duration after patient’s admission to the ICU (t=-2.48, p =.025), and subjective health status (F=30.06, p ＜.001). There were significant negative correlations observed between quality of life and post-traumatic stress symptoms (r=-.38, p ＜.001) as well as caregiver burden (r=-.46, p ＜.001). Factors affecting quality of life were subjective health status, economic status, and caregiver burden (adj. R2 =0.52, F=15.64, p ＜.001).
Conclusion:: These findings underscore the need to develop and implement intervention programs tailored to the health conditions and economic status of family caregivers, with a focus on alleviating caregiver burden. Such initiatives are essential to ultimately improve the quality of life for family caregivers of ICU patients.
