全國的家庭照顧者至少有32萬人,在照顧過程中有著不同的負荷、壓力與因應。 國內在這些議題方面的研究者,自1988-2000十三年間共發表25篇(不包括個案研究報告)研究文獻於17種專業性雜誌中。依研究文獻的主題、第一作者、研究方法、研究群體、主要照顧者定義、負荷、壓力與因應之定義、研究工具、負荷、壓力與因應之情形及相關因素,彙整後發現負荷、壓力常是混為一談的概念,需有更清楚的概念分析及具信效度的、精簡的測量工具。目前照顧者的負荷程度多為中低程度,以心理、社會 負荷較大,對實務、學術研究及相關教育能有參考性;對知識體系的建構能有基本的瞭解,進而展望未來應努力的方向。
Taiwan has (more than) 320 thousand caregivers are experiencing burden, stress or coping. Thoroughly reviewing the related research allows us to follow and step on the footmark and then use the knowledge thus gained to develop a fresh outlook for the future of caregiving science. This study reviews literature related to caregiver burden, stress and coping published during 1988-2000, in Chinese Journals from Taiwan. After reviewing 17 professional journals, 25 relevant articles were found (case studies were excluded), The literature review focused on theme, primary author, research method, subject population, the definitions of primary caregiver, burden、stress and coping, assessment instruments and factors related to burden, stress and coping. This study found that burden and stress were the same. This work contained clear concept analyses, and developed reliable and valid tools for use in future research. Furthermore, caregivers were found to have medium and low levels of burden. Psych-social burden was a concern however. Based on the analyzed findings, some suggestions are provided for future efforts by professional educators, clinical care staff, researchers and those interested in caregiving.