Abstract

This study was done to identify the relationships among family support, role conflict end Lii quality of life of patients with arthritis. And it was investigated the effects of family support on role conflict and the quality of their lives. The subjects were 98 patients with arthritis. The instruments used in this study were used Family Support Scale by Kang( 1985), Modified Quality of Life Scale by Ro(1988), and Role Conflict Scale developed by the researcher. The results of study were as follows : 1. Disease characteristics related to role conflict were pain iritensity( r = .35, p< .001) and limitation of activities of daily living(ADL)(r =37, p< .001). That related to quality of life was pain(r= -.27,p<.01). 2. There were no significant variations family support, role conflict and quality of life between rheumatoid arthritis and osteogenic arthritis patients. The patients with rheumatoid arthritis had more than twice the number of. affected joints as comparing to osteogenic arthrrt:s. But there were no differences the pain intensity and limitation of activity of ADL. 3. As applying to arthritis patients in general : There was a significant negative relationship between family support and role conflict(r=-.28, p<.01). There was a significant negative relationship between role conflict and quality of life(r= -.46, p<.01). There was a sigmfrcant positive re lationship between family supprt and quality of life(r=.58, p<.01). Family support, as an intervening variabe, had an impact on quality of life and role conflict. In conclusion, family support is an important variable in improving the quality of life of patients with arthritis. And especially role conflict has a significant influence on the quality of their lives, Therefore, we have to devehope nursing interventions for higher levels of family support through family education and support programs. In future studies, it would be well to investigate for effects and qualities of role conflict in the lives of patients with arthritis.