Open AccessComparing Perceived Burden for Korean and American Informal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors
Author(s) -
ChoiKwon Smi,
Mitchell Pamela H.,
Veith Richard,
Teri Linda,
Buzaitis Ann,
Cain Kevin C.,
Becker Kyra J.,
Tirschwell David,
Fruin Michael,
Choi Jimi,
Kim Jong S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
rehabilitation nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.355
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2048-7940
pISSN - 0278-4807
DOI - 10.1002/j.2048-7940.2009.tb00270.x
Subject(s) - caregiver burden , social support , psychological intervention , depression (economics) , cohort , rehabilitation , stroke (engine) , medicine , psychology , gerontology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , physical therapy , dementia , pathology , engineering , mechanical engineering , disease , economics , psychotherapist , macroeconomics
Little is known about the burden of cross‐cultural care for stroke patients. This article compares the perceived burden for caregivers of stroke survivors in Korea and the United States. A brief interview was conducted to determine specific problem areas for caregivers. Caregiver burden (using the Sense of Competence Questionnaire) and social support (using the ENRICHD Social Support Inventory) also were measured. The overall‐sense‐of‐burden‐from‐caregiving score was significantly higher in the Korean cohort than in the American cohort, as was the scale regarding satisfaction with the relationship with the recipient of care. The primary predictors of overall burden for the combined sample were caregiver and patient depression and insufficient social support. Lower perceived social support among Korean caregivers was strongly related to caregiver depression, while it was more strongly related to increased hours of caregiving in the American sample. These findings can help rehabilitation nurses plan supportive interventions that incorporate cultural values for stroke survivors and their caregivers.