Effectiveness of a psychoeducational programme for informal caregivers of older adults

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Alves, S (Author) Other; Teixeira, L (Author) ICBAS; Azevedo, MJ (Author) Other; Duarte, M (Author) Other; Constança Paúl (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences

Vol. 30

Pages: 65-73

ISSN: 0283-9318

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 23 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00H-WP4

DOI: 10.1111/scs.12222

Abstract (EN): Purpose of the studyThis study explored the effectiveness of psychoeducational programme for informal caregivers called Caring at home'. Design and methodsThe sample included 60 informal caregivers of elderly people (60years) living in the community. Socio-demographic information of informal caregivers and care receivers was collected with the COPE Index. The assessment protocol comprised four scales: 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, General Health Questionnaire-12, Positive Aspects of Caregiving and Caregiver Strain Index Modified. There were five assessment moments: a pretest, a post-test and three follow-ups. ResultsInformal caregivers had an average age of 52.08years (SD=9.11) and were mainly women (90.0%), married/partnered (75.0%) and children of the care recipients (61.7%). The median time spent in care was 12hours/day (IQR=18). Results showed a favourable evolution after the psychoeducational intervention, a significant improvement in caregivers' mental health (p=0.03) from pretest to 1st follow-up (2/3months after the psychoeducational intervention) and the maintenance of the other assessed dimensions of the caregivers' behaviour. ImplicationsThe psychoeducational intervention seems to promote improvements in mental health and the maintenance of other favourable conditions at baseline. These results may indicate that psychoeducational programme are beneficial to minimise or prevent adverse effects of caregiving.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9