Stress, uncertainty, and information needs in family caregivers of severely head-injured adults before final discharge from rehabilitation settings

This descriptive study identified the stress, uncertainty and information needs of family caregivers in adults with severe head injuries before final discharge home. Fifteen female and 5 male caregivers completed the Family Caregiver Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Caregiver Information Needs Question...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Merkley, Jane M
Format Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Published ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.1997
Subjects
Caregivers
Families & family life
Head injuries
Health education
Nursing
Patient admissions
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Therapy
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Summary:This descriptive study identified the stress, uncertainty and information needs of family caregivers in adults with severe head injuries before final discharge home. Fifteen female and 5 male caregivers completed the Family Caregiver Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Caregiver Information Needs Questionnaire, and a Problem Checklist. They also responded to open ended questions about discharge concerns, sources of uncertainty and the impact of the head-injury on their lives. The findings provide considerable evidence that before discharge from rehabilitation caregivers are highly stressed. They reported disruptions in their health, marital relationships, social lives and finances. They found living with "changed persons" who displayed severe antisocial behaviors particularly burdensome. Head-injured fathers were described as aggressive toward their young children leading caregivers to fear they would be violent at home. Family caregivers felt uncertain, wanted help to learn the caregiver role, and needed discharge information related to symptom management.
ISBN:0612288838
9780612288836