Factors Influencing Quality of Life of Home Care Patient's Primary Caregiver

가정간호대상자 주돌봄자의 삶의 질에 영향을 미치는 요인

Purpose: This study investigated the factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) of the primary caregivers of home health care patients. Method: The subjects were 110 primary caregivers of patients who were receiving home health care from two home health care centers affiliated with general hospitals in Seoul. Data collection was conducted using five questionnaires. Results: Positive relationships were evident between QOL and social support and perceived health status of the primary caregiver. Negative relationships were evident between QOL and burden and depression. Multiple linear regression analysis for QOL revealed that the most powerful influencing factor was social support. Social support, burden, and depression explained 34.3% of the variance. Conclusion: Burden, depression, and social support are related with QOL of primary caregivers of home health care patients. Nursing intervention strategies directed at this caregiver population are needed.