| Description |
Traditionally, the most recognized role for the psychiatric nurse has involved participation in the treatment plan of the hospitalized individual. While this is indeed an important role, Nursing; need not be limited to this aspect of care. In fact, current theories suggest that effective psychosocial interventions must look beyond the symptomatic individual to include consideration of the needs, strengths, deficits and realistic social burdens of the identified patient’s entire family system. Nurses frequently have access to the patient’s family system, and are, therefore, in a position to provide preventive, supportive and therapeutic intervention to families. However, doing so requires an appreciation of family centered care. The focus of this study was to increase the understanding of specific characteristics and needs of the family members of hospitalized psychiatric patients by examining and comparing questionnaire responses from family members who attended, as well as those who did not attend a multiple family support group. The group was patterned after models of psycho education and social support. It was designed and facilitated by nurses. The study sample consisted of 47 family members of hospitalized psychiatric patients (67% return rate) who answered a mailed questionnaire. Twenty seven responses were from attendees; 20 responses were from non-attendees. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire designed by the investigator. The aim was to obtain information that would be potentially useful in the further development of the family support group, as well as information that might lead to the development of alternative Nursing; interventions. The results of this study were descriptive in nature, and included numerous socio-demographic variables, history of psychiatric hospitalization, psychiatric diagnosis, level of stress, and six dimension of social support. Besides providing a broad description of the responding family members, the study revealed significant differences between those who attended and those who did not attend the family support group with respect to the following characteristics: relationship of the respondent to the hospitalized patients; age of hospitalized patient; size of the respondent’s support network; and the availability of a confidant. Self-reported reasons for support group attendance or non-attendance were also analyzed. The desire for involvement in the treatment plan and a better understanding of the illness were the two most commonly given reasons for support group attendance. The inconvenience of the meeting time and a need for “time out†from the problems associated with the illness were the most frequently stated reasons for non-attendance. Support group attenders were also asked to evaluate the effectiveness of the group in meeting their needs. Results indicated high level of satisfaction and a desire for continued interaction between staff and family members. Although results of this study are limited in their generalizability, several important clinical Nursing; implications are apparent. All respondents reveled that they had experienced stress related to the psychiatric illness and hospitalization of a family member, validating the assumption that this is a worthwhile focus for Nursing; concern and intervention. This study has improved understanding of the characteristics and needs of participants in the multiple family support groups, allowing for the potential further development of that group. Knowledge was also grained about family members who did not participate in the group, enabling the researcher to better understand the unique situations, coping styles and affiliative skills of these individuals. An appreciation of each difference can serve as an initial step in the development of future Nursing; intervention. |
