Research of resourcefulness of main caregivers of stroke patients based on structural equation model and its influencing factors

Objective  To investigate the current situation of resourcefulness among the main caregivers of stroke patients, and to analyze its action pathway and influencing mechanism by using Structural Equation Model.

Methods  Convenience sampling method was adopted to select the main caregivers of stroke patients hospitalized in the department of neurology of three hospitals with grade Ⅲ level A in Yinchuan City as the research objects, and a total of 308 main caregivers were finally included. The general demographic information, results of Resourcefulness Scale, Chinese version of the Stress Perception Scale and Fatigue Scale were collected. The latent variables were extracted by the principal component analysis. AMOS 24.0 software was used to construct a structural equation model for influencing factors of the intelligence of main caregivers of stroke patients.

Results  The scores of perceived stress, fatigue and resourcefulness of the main caregivers of stroke patients were (24.98±6.36), (5.31±2.86) and (83.98±12.85), respectively. Correlation analysis showed that perceived stress score was negatively correlated with intelligence score (r=-0.313, P < 0.01), fatigue score was negatively correlated with intelligence score (r=-0.305, P < 0.01), perceived stress score was positively correlated with fatigue score (r=0.261, P < 0.01). The structural equation model of influencing factors on the wisdom of the main caregivers of stroke patients was well fitted. Perceived stress had the strongest direct negative effect on resourcefulness (β=-0.33, P < 0.05). Fatigue had a direct negative effect on resourcefulness (β=-0.28, P < 0.05), and had an indirect effect through perceived stress and education level and occupation in social and cultural factors. Social and cultural factors had direct positive effects on resourcefulness (β=0.27, P < 0.05).

Conclusion  The resourcefulness of the main caregivers of stroke patients is at a medium level, which is affected by perceived stress, fatigue, occupation and education level. Medical staff should assess primary caregivers of patients with cerebral apoplexy in perceived stress, fatigue, professional and cultural level, provide diversified health education ways and the individuation of spiritual and material support so as to relieve the caregiver stress and fatigue, improve the level of primary caregivers of patients with cerebral apoplexy obtain guidance, and promote their physical and mental health.