Nurses' Attitudes Toward Family Importance in Nursing Care and Its Influencing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

To know the nurses' attitudes toward family involvement in nursing care and factors that can influence it.

A cross-sectional design study was carried out on 253 clinical nurses.

Data was collected from 253 clinical nurses using the Families' Importance in Nursing Care-Nurses' Attitudes Scale, the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire (DCSQ) and the Iceland Health Care Practitioner Illness Beliefs Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson's and Spearman's correlations, and multiple linear regression.

Nurses generally had a positive attitude toward the importance of involving families in nursing care (M = 106.0; SD 11.9). Nurses who work in outpatient consultation, held a master's degree, and have a family-oriented approach in their work unit showed more supportive attitudes. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that personal factors, including nurses' beliefs, and work-related factors, including control over work, and job satisfaction, were the more influencing factors on nurses' attitudes toward family.

This study offers valuable knowledge for understanding the attitudes of nurses toward family involvement in nursing care. Nurses have a positive attitude toward families. However, nurses' beliefs about family and illness, control over work, and perceived job satisfaction are key factors that influence these attitudes.

Understanding the factors linked to nurses' favourable attitudes toward families can facilitate the adoption of a family-centered approach in healthcare settings, ultimately enhancing the quality of care delivered to both the patient and their family.

The results may inform the development and implementation of strategies that facilitate working with a more family-focused approach in daily nursing practice.

This paper is reported according to the STROBE Statement.

No patient or public contribution.