Family protectiveness: a response to ischemic heart disease

The concept of family protectiveness is described in the context of a family systems nursing approach to families experiencing chronic ischemic heart disease. Following a review of the literature, the concept is defined as a defensive response to guard the family against injury and loss, whereby the ill family member is the recipient of preferential treatment, and whereby at least one family member covers for the ill family member by taking temporary charge of responsibility for health maintenance and household activities. Family protectiveness is compared and contrasted to family support. Examples of criterion for measurement of family protectiveness for nursing research are proposed. Implications for nursing practice and nursing intervention research are discussed.