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Background & Aim: Family-centered care, which has become the cornerstone for pediatric nursing practice, supports the integrity of child and family health. It brings families a unique care and improves child and family health. Families are recognized as an essential part of a specialized child care during illness. They are expected to be skilful in child care both in and out of health care facilities. This study was carried out to determine health caregivers&apos attitude toward parent participation in the care of their hospitalized children at Madani pediatric hospital- Khoramabad in 2004.

Methods & Materials: This is a descriptive-analytical study. One hundred and sixty nine caregivers were selected through convenient sampling method. Data were gathered using a questionnaire including demographic and parents&apos attitude questions. The questionnaire had 36-item. The data were analyzed via SPSS computer software and using descriptive and analytical methods.

Results: Results indicated that the average of participants&apos attitude score was 92.28±12.55. Most of subjects had neutral attitudes toward parents&apos participation in their children&aposs care. Positive attitude were significantly related with marital status (P<0.04), having children (P<0.04) and being a nursing student (in comparison with medical students) (P=0.04).

Conclusion: The caregivers&apos attitudes toward parents&apos participation in the care of their hospitalized children were neutral. The students&apos and staffs&apos attitudes should be modified by taking part in continuous training programs.

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Background & Objective: Due to physical and mental complications, stroke causes disability in self-care and adherence to rehabilitation in patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence to rehabilitation regimen in family caregivers of patients with stroke.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 180 family caregivers of patients with stroke were recruited to the study using convenience sampling method. The participants were asked to complete demographic sheet and the Adherence-of-Therapeutic-Regime Questionnaires during two months of stroke. Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive and inferential tests in the SPSS-16.

Results: Findings indicated that only about 10% of caregivers were in good levels of adherence to the rehabilitation regimen and about 25% of them were weak. The weaknesses of the adherence were related to rehabilitation of motion, cognitive and emotional deficiencies, and also prevention of respiratory and skin disorders.

Conclusion: According to the study, a small number of family caregivers were in appropriate level for adherence to the rehabilitation regimen. The nurses should be able to empower the family caregivers to decrease physical and psychological disorders related to stroke in patients.

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Background & Aim: Caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer&aposs disease, particularly females, encounter challenges. Their different roles in giving care to the patients could result in physical and mental disorders. The self-efficacy seems to be an essential factor in empowering individuals coping with stressful situations and challenging tasks. The aim of this study was to investigate general self-efficacy among women as family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer&aposs disease.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 112 women reffered to the Iran Alzheimer Association, Tehran were selected through convenience sampling method. The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10) was used to collect data. Data were entered into the SPSS-16 and then processed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe.

Results: The mean score of the general self-efficacy was 28.24±6.34 indicating that considerable percentage of the participants had unsatisfactory level of self-efficacy (65.2%). In addition, there were significant relationships between the women&aposs general self-efficacy with educational and economic statuses (P<0.05). There were no significant relationships between general self-efficacy with age, marital status, occupational status and duration of caring.

Conclusion: According to the findings, a considerable percentage of the participants had unsatisfactory level of self-efficacy. Therefore, it is essential to promote the caregivers self-efficacy in order to give them the ability of better adaptation with the life&aposs challenges. In particular, the self-efficacy promotive programs should be implemented among caregivers with lower educational and economic status.

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  Background & Aim: Family caregivers play major role in caring for the patients with dementia. Meanwhile, they are at risks of various diseases. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease carries a significant physical, socioeconomic and psychological burden. This study described the impact of cognitive-behavioral management on burden and problems borne by family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease .

  Methods & Materials: This non-randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 70 family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The participants were subjected to experimental and control groups. The Zarit Burden Interview was used to assess the burden experienced by family caregivers of the patients. Data were then analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistical parameters (mean and SD) and paired sample t-test on the difference between the scores of pre-test and post-test . 

  Results: The mean level of caregivers’ burden as measured by ZBI was 44.56± 6.77 and 42.57±5.98, in experimental and control groups before intervention respectively. Caregivers’ burden score was 39.54±5.88 and 44.86±5.87, in experimental and control groups after intervention respectively. Results showed a significant decrease in the training group’s score (P<0.001) .

  Conclusion: Given the obtained results indicating the effectiveness of cognitive- behavioral management in reduction of caregivers’ burden, the present study can be helpful in achieving an effective solution to decrease stress among family caregivers of patients who suffer from Alzheimer's disease .

  

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Background & Aim: Studies have shown that family caregivers’ attitude toward mental illness affects their caring to mental patients and may reduce the quality of caring to them. This study aimed to determine the effect of group psychoeducation on attitude toward mental illness in the family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial study conducted in 2015, 74 family caregivers of the patients with bipolar disorder who had been hospitalized in the psychiatric wards of Razi hospital in Tabriz were selected by random sampling method. Then, they were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. The families of experimental group participated in 8 continuous 90-minute 2 times a week psychoeducational sessions. Family caregivers’ attitude toward mental illness was measured using the questionnaire of Opinion about Mental Illnesses (OMI) before and after intervention. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, paired t-test and ANCOVA on SPSS software version 13.

Results: The results revealed that there was no significant difference in mean score of attitude toward mental illness between the experimental group and the control group before intervention (92.54±8.51 vs. 90.52±9.43, P>0.05). But the mean score of family caregivers' posttest in the experimental group significantly increased compared to the control group (105.43±14.72 vs. 90.52±7.50, P<0.05).

Conclusion: The study results demonstrate that psychoeducational program improves family caregivers’ attitude toward mental illness. Training methods such as group psychoeducation can be effective in promoting positive attitude in the families of patients with psychiatric disorder.

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Background & Aim: Cancer as one of the most common illnesses in the world is associated with mental, physical, social and financial problems, which affects not only the patients, but also the family caregivers and creates a burden of care. Some studies have shown that spiritual well-being is effective in reducing the burden of care. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the correlation between spiritual well-being and burden of care in family caregivers of cancer patients.
Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional correlational study, 150 family caregivers of cancer patients referred to Taleghani, Shohadaye Tajrish, Masih Daneshvari and Imam Hossein hospitals in Tehran were selected by the convenience sampling method from August to November 2017. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, independent t-test, analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of spiritual well-being score and burden of care were 90.36±17.70 and 25.54±11.79, respectively. There was a significant relationship between spiritual well-being (and its components including religious well-being and existential well-being) and burden of care (r=-0.421, P˂0.001). The result of regression test showed that spiritual well-being significantly predicted the burden of care.
Conclusion: The burden of care is experienced by family caregivers during caring for cancer patients, which is related to their spiritual well-being. Therefore, paying attention to the spiritual well-being of these caregivers is emphasized.
 

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Background & Aim: Substance use as a crisis and a long-term chronic disorder can lead to psychological burden and reduce the quality of life of family caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the quality of life therapy intervention on the burden of the family caregivers of addicts.
Methods & Materials: This is a clinical trial. The research population included all the family caregivers of the recovering addicts, admitted to Baharan psychiatric hospital in Zahedan in 2018. The samples were 80 people who were randomly divided into either intervention or control group. Caregivers in the intervention group received eight sessions of group counseling based on the quality of life therapy and on the basis of the determined content, every other day. Before the intervention and eight weeks after the intervention, the data were collected using the Zarit burden questionnaire and were analyzed by statistical tests through the SPSS software version 21.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in the mean score of burden between the two groups (P=0.25). After the intervention, the mean score of family caregiver burden in the intervention group (40.10±12.92) was significantly lower than in the control group (46.80±13.58) (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The quality of life therapy intervention in this study had a positive and significant effect on reducing the burden of family caregivers of addicts. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare providers use this counseling approach along with addiction treatment programs to improve the psychological well-being of family caregivers.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20160924029954N11
 

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Background & Aim: Addiction as a crisis and a chronic long-term disorder can lead to mental health symptoms in the users and their family members, the most common of which are stress, anxiety and depression. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a quality of life intervention on the psychological reactions in family caregivers of addicts.
Methods & Materials: This study is a clinical trial. The research population included the family caregivers of addicts admitted to Baharan psychiatric hospital in 2018. The sample consisted of 80 subjects who were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The caregivers in the intervention group received eight sessions of group counseling based on quality of life therapy and based on specified content, every other day. Eight weeks after the intervention, the data were collected using the DASS-21, and were analyzed by the SPSS software version 21 using paired t test, independent t test, Chi-square and Covariance.
Results: After the quality of life intervention, the mean scores of stress, anxiety and depression in family caregivers in the intervention group (11.50±4.36, 11.05±3.49, 10.57±4.67) were significantly lower than those of in the control group (14.67±4.93, 14.02±4.33, 13.40±4.77) (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in these variables between the two groups before the intervention.
Conclusion: Counseling based on quality of life therapy in this study had a positive and significant effect on reducing the severity of psychological reactions in family caregivers of addicts. Therefore, health care providers are recommended to use this counseling approach along with addiction treatment programs to increase the welfare and psychological well-being of family caregivers.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20160924029954N11
 
 

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Background & Aim: Self-control is the capacity to organize cognitive and emotional responses in order to provide continuous and adaptive behavior with ideal standards for long-term goals. Due to the high levels of care burden of patients with chronic disease, this study aims to explain the concept of self-control in the family caregivers of patients with chronic disease based on the family-centered empowerment model.
Methods & Materials: Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 26 participants (19 caregivers, four nurses and three patients with chronic disease) from June 2016 to August 2017 in southwestern of Iran. Data were analyzed using the directed content analysis approach. The documents recording, accurate description of details, member checking, peer checking, and maximum variation of participants, were considered for ensuring the trustworthiness of the data.
Results: “Transcendental self-control” of family caregiver was explained by four conceptual categories: “caregiver insight", "value prioritization in care", "acceptance of care responsibilities" and "committed care". By predicting the potential risks of playing the care role and deeply understanding the conditions of care while paying attention to the value prioritization outcome-centered and virtue-based care, the family caregiver accepts the care burden through positive thinking and expediency and modestly offers "committed care" while having competent care experiences.
Conclusion: The explanation of self-control concept based on family-centered empowerment model in the real field creates a clear understanding of this concept and leads to "commitment care" by family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases and in turn provides a basis for reducing workload in the clinical setting.
 

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Background & Aim: The caregivers of Alzheimer's patients frequently experience more psychological illness, depression, stress, and discomfort than their peers who do not care for Alzheimer's patients or care for physically ill patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of problem-oriented coping strategies training on perceived stress in the family caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer.
Methods & Materials: The present study was a randomized field trial. The study population consisted of the family caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer's disease living in Kerman in 2017. The samples were 72 people who were randomly assigned into the control or intervention groups. The caregivers in the intervention group received eight 45-minute sessions about the problem-focused coping strategies based on the specified content, once a week. Data were collected using a 14-item version of the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale before and two weeks after the intervention, and were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square tests through the SPSS software version 18.
Results: Due to the significant difference in the perceived stress score between the intervention and control groups in the pre-intervention stage (P=0.030), and the lack of significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (P=0.06), in order to determine the effect of the intervention, the mean of changes between the two groups were compared and a significant difference was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.02).
Conclusion: Considering the positive effect of the problem-focused coping strategy training on reducing perceived stress in the caregivers of the elderly with Alzheimer, designing and implementing interventions with an educational approach can promote the health of caregivers and in turn improve the quality of care for Alzheimer's patients.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT2016050327736N1
 

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Background & Aim: Designing healthcare spaces and physical facilities requires the identification of the patient's family needs, and it is considered an important component of nursing theories. The aim of this study was to explain the needs of family caregivers of patients undergoing gynecological surgery for physical facilities and equipment in hospital.
Methods & Materials: This study is based on the results of the qualitative part of a large hybrid study on the development and implementation of a need-based service delivery program for the caregivers of patients undergoing gynecological surgery in 2017. The selection of participants was purposefully done with maximum variation. The study data were collected using 31 (16 caregivers, 6 nurses, 4 doctors, 3 patients and 2 service workers) in-depth interviews and observations and analyzed by the conventional qualitative content analysis using the Zhang and Wildemuth approach.
Results: Data analysis led to the development of the theme "need for physical facilities", which fell into two categories "need for proper physical structure in the hospital" with the following subcategories: "need for care facilities behind the operating room door", "need to provide welfare facilities in the hospital for caregivers", "need for welfare facilities in the surgical ward", "necessity of allocating rooms to the similar patients", and category "need for appropriate hospital facilities and equipment" with subcategories "caregiver’s need for facilities and amenities", and "caregiver’s need for facilities and amenities for the comfort of the patient".
Conclusion: The results show the importance of having a physical structure tailored to the needs of family caregivers as well as the availability of appropriate facilities and equipment in hospital. One of the limitations of the study was preventing men from visiting patients in the women’s hospital. It is recommended that the needs of male companions and the necessity of their presence according to the cultural context be studied. Also, a new architectural design is suggested to create a suitable therapeutic environment and positive effect on patients’ improvement and increase patient and family satisfaction.
 

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Background & Aim: Stress and anxiety are one of the major problems in patients undergoing semi-invasive and invasive procedures such as endoscopy. Different methods to reduce anxiety do not have the same effects. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of thought distraction by music therapy and the presence of caregiver on anxiety level of patients undergoing endoscopy.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial, 105 patients referred to endoscopy ward of Shahid Mohammadi hospital and Persian Gulf Bandar Abbas hospital in 2018 were selected by the convenience sampling method and assigned into three groups of music therapy, presence of caregiver and control using the random allocation (35 in each group). The demographic information form and the Spielberger anxiety questionnaire (STAL) were completed before and after the intervention. In the music therapy group, patients received natural sounds through headphones. In the caregiver’s presence group, endoscopy was performed with the presence of caregiver, and the control group only received routine pre-endoscopic care. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through the SPSS software version 24 at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The result of analysis of variance showed that there was no significant difference in the anxiety mean score between the three groups before the intervention (P=0.77), but a significant difference was observed after the intervention (P<0.005). The decrease in scores in the music therapy group was significant (P=0.044), but in the caregiver’s presence group (P=0.571) and the control group (P=0.663), no significant change was observed before and after endoscopy.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that distraction with music therapy is an effective way to help patients undergoing endoscopy, and the use of this method can help the procedure to be performed better and enhance patient satisfaction.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20190715044215N1
 

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Background & Aim: Family caregivers of COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) face numerous challenges that can affect their well-being. Spiritual health represents a crucial component for coping with such stressful conditions. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between spiritual health and attitude towards death in family caregivers of COVID-19 patients post-discharge from the ICUs.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive-correlational study conducted between April and November 2021, focused on family caregivers of COVID-19 patients discharged from the ICUs. The sample comprised 260 family caregivers selected through convenience and purposive sampling methods. Data collection tools included a demographic and clinical questionnaire, Polotzin and Ellison's Spiritual Health Questionnaire, and Wong's Death Attitude Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 encompassed chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance and Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results: The results showed a significant inverse relationship between total spiritual health score and the total score of attitude towards death (rs=-0.101, P<0.05). The attitude towards death findings revealed fear as the highest scoring dimension, with active acceptance scoring the lowest. Moreover, religious health exhibited a significant inverse relationship with avoidance of death (rs=-0.93) and fear of death (rs=-0.64, P<0.05).
Conclusion: The study highlighted an inverse relationship between the level of religious health and negative dimensions of attitude towards death. Individuals with higher religious health scores exhibited lower average scores for negative attitudes towards death, including fear and avoidance of death. This underscores the importance of emphasizing the religious dimension within families, and among patients discharged from the ICU, showcasing the role of religion in mitigating negative attitudes towards death.