IngentaConnect Using the Satir Family Tools to Reduce Burnout in Family Caregive...

Abstract:

Self-esteem problems of family caregivers have been documented in the literature, but none of the studies linked caregiver burnout with the Satir family tools. The purposes of this research study is to test a nursing intervention model, Self-directed skills (SDS), to determine the effectiveness of the model on primary family caregivers (PFCs) who provide 60 to 75 percent of the care of an African-American homebound frail elderly relative without relief for greater than six months. The research question tested was: What is the effect of the SDS intervention on family caregiver burnout of African-American family caregivers of homebound frail elderly? The research hypotheses for the study were (1). Subjects in the experimental study group will report a higher level of self-esteem after administration of the SDS intervention compared to subjects in the control group. (2). There will be decreased caregiver burnout in experimental subjects after SDS intervention compared to subjects in the control group. The sample consisted of 60 PFCs selected by random sampling (30 experimental and 30 control group participants). This article will focus on the qualitative data generated from the study of the thirty experimental group research participants. The results indicated the PFC's burnout score was statistically significant post intervention. The findings also suggested that coping patterns of African-American PFCs of frail elderly in the home is costly, both physically and emotionally.

Nursing implications from this study are focused on nursing practice, theory, and education. Nursing Practice - Change in PFCs should be evaluated at 6 month intervals; health care policies and outcome measure should be designed to support and help pay PFCs for home care of the frail elderly; home care nurses need to increase their sensitivity to PFCs spiritual dimensions; and counseling and coordinating PFCs and care recipients needs can be addressed by community case managers. Nursing theory and education - The Satir Model is teachable to family therapists and nurses in both undergraduate and graduate programs; nurses who are educated in the Satir Model can facilitate change in PFCs and the caregiving behavior; family health care can be promoted by using the Satir Model as a nursing intervention tool. Nursing research questions generated from the qualitative data were: what roles does religiosity play as a coping strategy for African-American PFCs in reducing caregiver burnout? And should the personal accomplishment subscale on the Maslach Burnout Inventory be sensitive enough to note caregiver burnout differences among PFCs pre- and post-interventions?

This study was supported by National Center for Nursing Research grant

#1 F31 NR09998-01

Using the Satir Family Tools to Reduce Burnout in Family Caregivers