This study was attempted to identify psychological problems and various influencing factors posed for patient's families during hospitalization of a member of the family.
The data of a self-administered screening guestionnaire were analyzed which was given to study group, 346 family members of patients hospitalized in general ward, cancer ward and ICU, and 343 cases of control group.
The following results were obtained:
1) The study group had G.H.Q. scores of 9.0±6.6, which was significantly higher than 5.5±5.5 of control group(P<0.01).
2) Women had significantly higher G.H.Q. scores than men in study group and control group with the scores of 9.6±6.8 and 6.4±5.9, respectively. The difference was more prominent in the scale of severe depression(P<0.01), somatic symptom, and anxiety and imsomnia(P<0.05).
3) The more economic burden of admission fee, the study group had the higher G.H.Q. scores with 11.3±7.3 in heavy burden group, 8.1±6.1 in a little burden group and 6.9±5.3 in little burden group(P<0.01) than somatic symptom and social dysfunction(P<0.05).
4) The study group of more than a month duration of hospitalization had significantly higher G.H.Q. scores of 10.8±6.9 than 8.3±6.3 in those of less than a month duration(P<0.01) especially in the scale of anxiety and insomnia, severe depression(P<0.01). social dyfunction(P<0.05).
5) The G.H.Q. scores were highest(11.6±7.1) in family members of patients in ICU with cancer, and those who had hospitalized in ICU had significantly higher G.H.Q. scores than those of general ward with the score of 11.1±7.1 and 8.4±6.2, repectively(P<0.01).
6) There were no significant differences in G.H.Q. scores by age, education, income, religion, marrital status, family structure and relation with the patient.
In conclusion, the G.H.Q. scores of family members of hospitalized patients were significantly higher in cases of women, more economic burden of admission fee, longer duration of hospitalization and more serious disease, which suggested more psychological problems in the family members of hospitalized patients.
