Quality of Life in Family Members Coping With Chronic Illness in a Relative: An Exploratory Study

Coping with disability in the family is a multifaceted endeavor entailing changes in all spheres of life. Such changes affect not only the afflicted person but also the immediate relatives. The main objective of this study is to propose a comprehensive definitional framework for the quality of life concept, based on an action systemic approach to meet the challenge suggested in the literature. The work was focused mainly on examining the suitability of the systemic quality of life model for ascertaining life quality in family members coping with chronic illness in a relative. Ninety-four subjects in 47 families with a chronically ill or disabled relative were questioned formally. The model proved to be a valid and reliable instrument for this purpose, as well as affording us a picture of both the level and structure of the quality of life. Four significant differences were revealed in the four domains of the model: personal, physical, social, and cultural. The discussion interprets the level and structure of the subjects quality of life, and deals with its significance to the intervention process.