Daughters of cardiac patients: the process of caregiving

Can J Nurs Res. 2003 Jun;35(2):90-105.

Abstract

This prospective, exploratory study examined the caregiving role that adult daughters play when a parent is hospitalized for a cardiac condition. Specifically, the study addressed the development and evolution of the caregiving role during the hospital stay and in the post-discharge period. Data were collected from 9 daughters using participant observation and unstructured and semi-structured interviews. Daughters' caregiving was characterized by a non-linear process of "knowing" that included knowledge seeking, consolidation of knowledge, and acting on the knowledge. In a secondary process of self-assessment concerning their knowledge, the participants moved back and forth among the 3 dimensions. In addition, their level of involvement was defined by 4 different caregiving styles, based on the family's caregiving culture. Nurses might collaborate more effectively with women caring for a parent by determining their position in the "knowing" process and tailoring the intervention accordingly. Nurses should also be sensitive to families' opinions and traditions regarding caregiving.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Convalescence / psychology
  • Empathy
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / nursing*
  • Heart Diseases / psychology
  • Home Nursing / psychology
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Knowledge
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Nuclear Family / psychology*
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Prospective Studies
  • Role*
  • Self-Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires