Family Strength in Caring for a Stroke Survivor at Home

ABSTRACT

This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the meaning of family strength when caring for a stroke member at home. Family strength is considered to be the competency of a family when faced with a stressful life event that can be viewed through a continuous man-environmental interaction process. Six family units were purposively recruited and screened using the Family Hardiness Index (four with high-level of hardiness, and two with moderate-level of hardiness). Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations and field notes, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method. Findings revealed families with high-hardiness continuously strove to overcome caregiving hardships and had hope for the stroke member’s long existence, while families with moderate-hardiness demonstrated less effort to overcome caregiving hardships and held no hope for the stroke member’s long existence. Primary caregivers among families with high-hardiness revealed more self-development incarer role than did those of families with moderate-hardiness. Families with high-hardiness shared caregiving and family task responsibilities, while families with moderate-hardiness lacked collaboration regarding caregiving and family tasks. In addition, family strength emerged from families overcoming caregiving hardships through hope for the stroke member’s long existence; development, accumulated experiences of “can do” family members; and, establishment of shared caregiving and family task responsibilities. Consideration of views and abilities of the family unit to provide homecare for a stroke member can enhance nurses’ understanding of different developmental experiences of home caregiving families. In addition, such knowledge can facilitate adoption of meaningful nursing interventions to support the families.