Effect of Caregiver’s Role Improvement Program on the Uncertainty, Stress, and Role Performance of Caregivers with Hospitalized Children

Abstract

Purpose: In this study a caregiver’s role improvement program was developed and tested to identify the effect on uncertainty, stress, and role performance of caregivers with hospitalized children. Methods: The design of this study was a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group and a non-synchronized design. Thirty-three caregivers were assigned to the experimental group and 33 to the control group. Data were collected from March 5 2016 to April 10 2016. For the experimental treatment, each individual was given on-site education with situated learning (given 30 minutes each, for 2 sessions), and self-repetition learning activities were performed from the e-book. Data were analyzed using t-test, χ²-test, Fisher’s exact test, paired t-test, and independent t-test. Results: The level of uncertainty and stress decreased, and role performance level improved for these caregivers with hospitalized children. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that using on-site education through situated learning and self-repetition learning with an e-book as in the caregiver’s role improvement program is an effective intervention. Therefore, utilizing the caregiver role improvement program developed in this study is recommended as an effective intervention for caregivers of hospitalized children.