Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide more qualitative care in family nursing practice. The study was designed to investigate the degree of quality of life(QL) among the families. Data were collected from 99 families of cancer patients and 76 families of hospice patients. The ages of the subjects were 17 years and over at six hospitals affiliated to universities in Seoul, Chunchon, and Kyung Gi Province. The data were collected from August, 1996 to August, 1997. The instrument used for this study was the Quality of Life Scale, which were composed of six factors, developed by Ro, You, Ja. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, and Stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follow ; 1. The score of QL was higher in the families of cancer patients than the families of hospice patients but it was not significant. The score on QL Scale ranged from 73 to 218 with mean of 148. 16 in the families of cancer patients. In the families of hospice patients, the score ranged from 75 to 224, showing a mean of 140.58. Family relationships among six factors showed the highest score in both group. And it was significantly higher in the families of cancer patients than the families of hospice patients(t=2.07, P=0.039). 2. In the families of cancer patients, there were significant association between QL and marital status(F=5.11, P=0.003), economic state(F=4.09, P=0.020), occupation(F=2.92, P=0.012). In the families of hospice patients, there were significant association between QL and family member's age(F=2.52, p=0.029), marital status(F=3.57, P=0.018), economic state(F=6.07, P=0.004), education level(F=3.77, P=0.014). 3.Economic status accounted for 7% of QL, and admission frequency accounted for an additional 4% of QL in the families of cancer patients by means of stepwise multiple regression analysis. In the families of hospice patients, economic status accounted for 17% of QL, and diagnosis accounted for an additional 7% of QL. In conclusion, it was found that QL was higher in the families of cancer patients than the families of hospice patients, and family relationships showed the highest value in QL. These findings showed be considered in nursing practice.