Family resilience of patients requiring long‐term care: A meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies

Abstract

Background: Long-term care of patients with chronic illnesses is an important global public health issue, compromising the well-being of family members and the family functioning. Previous studies have examined the interactive experiences and processes of various systems in the families coping with long-term care stress; however, these studies have not been systematically reviewed and integrated.Aims: This review aimed to synthesise the existing qualitative evidence on the experiences and processes of family resilience operate in families providing long-term care for patients with chronic illnesses and to provide suggestions for the development of interventions in future studies. Materials & Methods:We searched databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, ProQuest and CNKI from their inception to March 2022. We used the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies to evaluate the quality of the included studies was evaluated according to. We followed The Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) statement. The results were integrated using the thematic and content analysis method. Results: Fourteen studies from eight countries covering 11 diseases reported on the experiences and coping processes of long-term care families. Based on McCubbin's Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (FAAR), five analytical themes were synthesised: stressors (risk factors), family belief system, internal family coping strategies, external support and resilient adaptation indicators; the relationships between themes and subthemes were illustrated. Discussion: This review synthesized qualitative evidence on the experiences and processes of family resilience operate in families providing long-term care. The results of this study found that the cognition and belief of family members regarding dilemmas have a two-way effect and act on the adaptation process of family members. In family adaptation, spirituality, hope, internal and external support are extremely important.

Assessing the mediating role of family resilience between caregiver burden and caregiver capacity: a cross-sectional study among Chinese stroke survivors and family caregivers in a real-world setting

“…This finding emphasises the reciprocal relationship between caregiver and family dynamics in stroke care. Effective caregiving enhances the overall resilience of the family unit, and resilient families, in turn, support caregivers in fulfilling their roles 37…”

“…Effective caregiving enhances the overall resilience of the family unit, and resilient families, in turn, support caregivers in fulfilling their roles. 37 The relationship between caregiver capacity, family resilience and caregiver burden While controlling for sociodemographic variables, we delved into the intricate relationships among family resilience, caregiver burden and caregiver ability in stroke care. Family resilience was a partial mediator between caregiver burden and caregiver capacity.…”

The mediating effect of family resilience between coping styles and caregiver burden in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study

“…Patients receiving MHD heavily depend on their caregivers for assistance in all aspects of their daily lives [ 9 ], including fulfilling dietary requirements, managing medications, scheduling dialysis appointments, and providing transportation to the hospital [ 1 , 4 , 10 ]. The limited self-care capabilities of these patients and the frequent complications of hemodialysis increase their reliance on caregivers, aggravating the stress on the caregivers [ 5 , 11 – 14 ]. The term caregiver burden (CB) primarily refers to the adverse impact on a caregiver’s physical health or financial situation as a result of caring for a sick relative [ 1 ].…”

Fatalism as a Mediator of the Association Between Family Resilience and Self-Management Among Patients with Chronic Wounds in China

“…19,20 Family resilience, which is the capacity, procedure, and adaptation of a family to confront hardship, is considered an important factor in facilitating family caregivers' implementation of long-term care for patients with chronic diseases. 21,22 The concept of family resilience has its roots in the exploration of individual psychological resilience. However, more and more researchers were recognizing that the process of dealing with adversity on an individual level could apply to a process that involves the entire family system, which was reflected in their increasing emphasis on the importance of family support in disease management.…”