The association between illness representations, coping resources, and subjective well-being among family caregivers of prolonged mechanical ventilation patients.

Background

Prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) imposes emotional, physical, and social burdens on family caregivers, yet limited research focuses on their subjective well-being (SWB). This study aimed to explore the factors associated with SWB among family caregivers of hospitalized PMV patients, guided by the Self-Regulation Model.

Methods

A total of 134 family caregivers completed questionnaires assessing SWB, illness representations, sense of coherence, and perceived social support.

Results

Path analysis revealed that positive illness representations-such as perceptions of shorter illness duration and effective treatment control-enhanced SWB through higher sense of coherence and perceived social support. Conversely, negative representations, including severe perceived consequences and heightened emotional responses, adversely affected SWB. Symptom burden and illness understanding were not significantly linked to coping resources or SWB.

Conclusions

Although we offer a mediation model with cross-sectional data, the findings underscore the role of coping resources as mediators in the relationships between illness representations and SWB. Future longitudinal research is recommended to further support the mediation model suggested in our study. Interventions fostering adaptive illness representations and bolstering coping resources, such as sense of coherence and social support, are recommended to alleviate caregiver burden and improve well-being. These insights offer practical guidance for healthcare providers in supporting caregivers and enhancing outcomes for both patients and families.