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Further testing of a family nursing instrument (FAFHES)
Päivi Astedt-Kurki1, Marja-Terttu Tarkka, Marjo-Riitta Rikala
1Department of Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere University Hospital, Research Unit, Finland.
Background:
Cardiac illness in one family member affects the well-being and health of the whole family. When a family member falls ill, life may change for the whole family in many ways. Family members expect nursing staff to provide more support when their family situation changes.
Objectives:
To describe further development and testing of a family nursing instrument for assessing the association between social support for the family of an adult cardiac patient and family functioning and perceived family health.
Settings:
The study was conducted in two university hospitals and in two central hospitals in Finland.
Methods And Participants:
Questionnaires were given to family members of heart patients. Patients themselves defined who their closest adult relative was. Data were collected from family members of 509 heart patients.
Results:
Good internal reliability in this further testing of a new instrument was demonstrated. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was performed in each of the three total scales: family functioning, family health and social support. PCA supported the previously proposed theoretical framework. A final scale consisted of 62 items. All the total scales and subscales had acceptable validity and reliability, alpha coefficients ranged from .76 to .98.
Conclusions:
The Family Functioning, Health and Social Support (FAFHES) provides a reliable and valid instrument when the investigator wishes to measure social support associated with family functioning and the health of families of heart patients.
