Nursing Research on Family Processes in Chronic Illness in Ethnically Diverse Families: A Decade Review

Abstract

The aim of this article is to review the methods, innovations, and dilemmas reported in nursing research on chronic illness with ethnically diverse families. Articles published by nurse researchers were systematically searched using Medline, CINAHL, and PsychINFO for the years 1990 to 2000, with follow-up to methodological articles. Research was selected if it sampled families from diverse ethnicities living in the United States and employed family conceptualizations or measures. Four classes of research were identified that (a) examine the appropriateness of various research instruments for use with ethnically diverse families; (b) examine families of varied ethnicities, but report what is common, rather than unique to each ethnic group; (c) examine family processes in a single diverse ethnic group; and (d) compare family processes in at least two ethnic groups. Methodological recommendations for future research are offered.