The Positive Experiences in Caregiving of Stroke Patients: A Study of Caregiving Satisfaction

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although research on caregiving for individuals with chronic illness indicates that the outcomes of caregiving may have both positive and negative experiences, little is known about the positive experiences of caregiving among those who are taking care of stroke patients. Positive experiences are likely to buffer the effects of stress and burden caused by caregiving activities, and may promote caregivers' positive attitudes beneficial to the recovery of stroke patients. METHODS: 78 caregivers for stroke patients participated in this questionnaire study. Content analysis was conducted to explore positive experiences, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to investigate predictors for caregiving satisfaction. RESULTS: Half of the respondents were at least somewhat satisfied with their caregiving activities. Care givers' positive experience can be classified by 7 categories. Of these, improving of patients' condition, cognitive change in health, and cognitive changes in disease were relatively accounted for majority. The quality of the past relationship between patients and care givers was related on the care satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Although caregiving for stroke patients entails stress and burden, about half of the respondents in this study showed that caregiving activities may involve some positive experiences. The better relationship caregivers had with the patients before the onset of illness, the more caregiving satisfaction was reported. Health care professionals need to recognize the positive aspects of caregiving for stroke patients, and pay attention to the quality of prior relationship between stroke patients and their caregivers that can promote caregiving satisfaction.