Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive research were to investigate the relationship between family function and burden of family caregivers of the patient with brain injury, and to offer basic data to find alternatives of reducing their burden. Subjects, 106 family caregivers of the patient with brain injury, were selected through convenience sampling method from the 2 hospitals in Kwangju. Data were collected through the structured questionnaires that include general characteristics, family function scale, and burden scale. They were analyzed by Cronbach'alpha, descriptive statistics, ANOVA, t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient by using SPSS/PC^＋ program. The mean score for family function was 60.98 and burden was 72.76. Burden with caregivers' general characteristics was related to age, marital status, support after admission, caring years, caring hours per day and alternation. Burden with patients' general characteristics was related to sex, religion, education, hospitalization experience, operation experience, present condition and prognosis. (Korean J Str Res 2012;20:61∼68)

• Keywords: Brain injury, Family function, Burden;