The concept of self-control in the family caregivers of patients with chronic disease based on the family-centered empowerment model: A qualitative directed content analysis

Self-control is the capacity to organize cognitive and emotional responses in order to provide continuous and adaptive behavior with ideal standards for long-term goals. Due to the high levels of care burden of patients with chronic disease, this study aims to explain the concept of self-control in the family caregivers of patients with chronic disease based on the family-centered empowerment model.

 Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 26 participants (19 caregivers, four nurses and three patients with chronic disease) from June 2016 to August 2017 in southwestern of Iran. Data were analyzed using the directed content analysis approach. The documents recording, accurate description of details, member checking, peer checking, and maximum variation of participants, were considered for ensuring the trustworthiness of the data.

“Transcendental self-control” of family caregiver was explained by four conceptual categories: “caregiver insight", "value prioritization in care", "acceptance of care responsibilities" and "committed care". By predicting the potential risks of playing the care role and deeply understanding the conditions of care while paying attention to the value prioritization outcome-centered and virtue-based care, the family caregiver accepts the care burden through positive thinking and expediency and modestly offers "committed care" while having competent care experiences.

The explanation of self-control concept based on family-centered empowerment model in the real field creates a clear understanding of this concept and leads to "commitment care" by family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases and in turn provides a basis for reducing workload in the clinical setting.