Web of Science-based Visualization of Research Hotspots on Family Resilience among Long-term Care Patients

Abstract

Background： The prevalence of chronic diseases that necessitate long-term care has emerged as a significant global public health concern. The long-term care of patients frequently relies on the support of family members. Providing long-term care to patients may cause significant stress and financial strain on family members, which in turn affects family functioning and health. The capacity of families to adapt positively can facilitate recovery and enhance the quality of life for all members of the family. The capacity for resilience within a family unit serves to facilitate positive adaptation and the sustenance of familial stability. It is essential to visualize and analyze the current state and hot frontiers of research on family resilience in patients requiring long-term care. Materials and methods： Studies related to resilience in families for patients who require long-term care were searched based on the Web of Science (WOS) platform. The search was conducted from January 2005 to June 2024, and the resulting data were downloaded to CiteSpace, a software tool used to generate knowledge visualization maps. Results： In total, 1,191 articles pertaining to the topic of family resilience among individuals requiring long-term care were retrieved. The largest number of articles published on this topic was in America, with China in second place. The most frequently cited literature is the article "Family Resilience and Connection Promote Flourishing Among US Children, Even Amid Adversity," published in 2019. The most common keywords are children, parent, adolescent, caregiver, stress, social support, quality of life, and care. Currently, the main research trends include 2 aspects:(1) the application of models on family resilience; and (2) the various factors that contribute to the resilience of families. Conclusion： Globally, research on family resilience among long-term care patients needs to be further explored. There are more cross-sectional studies and fewer large-scale longitudinal studies, which need to be further strengthened in order to deepen our understanding of the factors influencing family resilience and how family resilience changes. This will provide a scientific foundation for the creation of evidence-based strategies to enhance the resilience of families of long-term care patients.