Family support--a burden to patient and caregiver

The aim of this paper was to describe family support in terms of the sources as well as the consequences of burden for caregivers, patients and family interaction. Caregivers' sources of burden were related to difficulties in coping with patients' emotional responses, physical complaints and altered life style behaviour as well as future oriented factors. Consequences in terms of caregivers' perceptions of emotional distress and personal losses are elucidated. In terms of family support, when focusing on sources of burden for patients' concerning family support, emotional support is emphasised and related to overprotection. Two different definitions of the overprotection concept are used in order to elucidate different consequences of the phenomenon. Sources and consequences of burden are also related to family interaction. The family is regarded as a system in which a cardiac disease may cause an imbalance. Poor marital quality or poor family functioning is described as a hindrance to a new balance. To summarise, the reviewed literature unanimously shows that the interactive support between family members when dealing with cardiac disease constitutes a considerable emotional burden. Therefore the support for emotional communication within the family should take priority. The knowledge described can provide a foundation for the development of family support in the cardiac area.