Cognitive-Behavioral Group Intervention for Spousal Caregivers: Findings and Clinical Considerations

Caring for a family member who suffers from dernentia represents an important source of stress for caregivers. Group interventions are increasingly being used as a means of relieving caregiver burden but it remains unclear which types of groups are most helpful. The object of this study was to evalu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical gerontologist 1996-05, Vol.17 (1), p.3-19
Main Authors: Gendron, Carole, Poitras, Lorraine, Dastoor, Dolly, Perodeau, Guilleme
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Carers
Cognitive behaviour therapy
Dementia
Elderly people
Group work
Medical sciences
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Spouses
Treatments
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Summary:Caring for a family member who suffers from dernentia represents an important source of stress for caregivers. Group interventions are increasingly being used as a means of relieving caregiver burden but it remains unclear which types of groups are most helpful. The object of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a skills training cognitive-behavioral group intervention which focused on assertion, problem-solving and cognitive restructuring. This intervention was compared to a support group which emphasized information-giving and social exchanges between participants. Thirty-five spousal caregivers were randomly assigned to one of two 8-week interventions. Using a covariance analysis, with pre-test scores as covariants, the two groups were found to differ significantly following the intervention on one measure of assertion and on two dimensions of marital adjustment. No significant differences were found on measures of psychological distress, negative thoughts, coping styles and perceived burden. Findings suggest the need to evaluate the effect of specific components of a group intervention, such as Assertive Training and Comitive Restructuring.
ISSN:0731-7115
1545-2301
DOI:10.1300/J018v17n01_02