A study on the relationship between family typology and perceived social support in spouses of patient after stroke events

Abstract

Objective To study family typology of stroke survivors' spouse and its relationship with perceived social support and offer a basic reference for family intervention. Methods A total of 327 qualified spouses of stroke survivors were investigated in the Family Cohesion and Adaptability Questionnaire (FACESII-CV) and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) for their family typology proportion and relationship with PSSS. Results Compared with normal group, the ratios of extremity type family and middle family type were increased in this study: 23.9%(78/327)vs. 16.4%(20/122), 45.0%(147/327) vs. 29.5%(36/122), while the equilibrium family type were decreased:31.1% (102/327) vs. 54.1%(66/122), and there were significant differences (χ2=23.089, P 0.05). Family typology was the most important factor to PSSS (β=0.212, P 0.05). Conclusions Among the spouses of stroke survivors, the ratios of extremity and middle family type are increased but equilibrium family type are decreased. Family typology is the most important factor to PSSS of survivors' spouse. The PSSS of survivors' spouse in extremity type families is higher than that in middle and equilibrium type families. Intervention should be offered to the families, guiding the conversion of family typology from other types to extremity. Key words: Stroke; Family cohesion; Circumpolar model; Family typology; Perceived social support