Abstract

PURPOSE
Among the sources of anxiety and burden of family caregivers of stroke patients, this study investigated the role of self-efficacy and knowledge about care.
METHODS
Descriptive and correlational study design was used. One hundred and thirteen subjects were included. They were anticipated family caregivers of stroke patients. All patients were hospitalized at the intensive care unit (ICU) for the first time as a stroke patients. Data of family caregivers were collected during the time that patients were in the ICU with self-reported standardized questionnaire. Pearson's correlation coefficients and regression analysis were used to explore the role of self-efficacy and knowledge.
RESULTS
Self-efficacy was correlated with burden, but not with anxiety. Knowledge about care was correlated with anxiety and burden. Only knowledge about care was the significant predictor of anxiety and burden of anticipated family caregivers.
CONCLUSION
The knowledge about care for stroke patients is important especially to the family caregivers who have to care stroke patients for the first time to reduce their anxiety and burden.