This study used the Wicksfamily health model to test relationships among family health and time since diagnosis, perception of symptom severity, caregiver stress, and family stressors in 140families coping with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Family health was influenced by time since diagnosis, patient perceptions of symptom severity, caregiver stress, and family stressors as predicted. Cognitive impairment (patient-reported poor memory) was the only symptom significantly influencing family health. Even when physicalfrailty is the hallmark of a disease, it may be the cognitive aspects of the disease that strain family relationships.
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