THE ROLE OF CAREGIVERS' COMPASSION AND PREPAREDNESS LEVELS IN PREDICTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF STROKE PATIENTS
Keywords:
stroke; caregiver; compassion; readiness for caregiving; quality of lifeAbstract
This study was conducted to examine the role of caregivers' levels of compassion and preparedness for caregiving in predicting the quality of life of stroke patients. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 110 patient–caregiver dyads at a training and research hospital in southeastern Turkey. Data were collected using the Patient and Caregiver Demographic Information Form, Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale, Compassion Scale, and Preparedness for Caregiving Scale. The mean quality of life score of the patients was 2.64±0.57. The caregivers' compassion and preparedness scores were 73.04±10.29 and 19.49±6.23, respectively. A significant relationship was found between compassion and preparedness (p=0.017). No significant relationship was found between quality of life and these variables (p>0.05). The model was significant, accounting for 11% of the variance (F=4.365; p=0.006). Chronic disease was identified as a significant predictor (β=-0.309; p=0.001). While caregiver characteristics do not directly affect quality of life, chronic illness was found to be a more significant factor. A significant relationship was also found between caregivers’ level of compassion and their level of readiness to provide care.
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