Family Coping with Gastrostomy in Home Care: Analysis Based on the Double ABCX Model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the nature of family stress in families coping with gastrostomy in home care. We conducted a survey of 183 family caregivers who used visiting nursing with gastrostomy. We developed the questionnaires based on the double ABCX Mode, including the caregiver burden, troubles related to gastrostomy, utilized external care services, and a visual analog scale (VAS) in the positive cognition of gastrostomy. The questionnaires were answered anonymously by the self-administered mailing method from May to July, 2011.

119 quesionnaires were collected and we analyzed answers from 91 family caregivers with elderly of care level 3 or higher and who fully completed the questionnaires. The mean age of the elderly was 78.9 ±10.1 (SD) years and that of family caregivers was 64.0 ± 11.4(SD) years. The number of troubles related to the gastrostomy was significantly higher in family caregivers 70 years or older (P ＜ .05). The family burden was significantly greater in family caregivers 70 years or older (P ＜ .05), and there was a negative correlation (r ＝ - 0.385)between caregiver burden and positive cognition of gastrostomy.

One of the factors which helped reduce caregiver burden was positive cognition of gastrostomy. It was suggested that for family caregivers of 70 years or older, it is important to prevent any trouble related to gastrostomy and to promote appropriate use of home care service.