Improving Problem-Solving Skills of Family Caregivers Through Group Education

Bucher, Julia A.; Houts, Peter S.; Nezu, Christine Maguth; Nezu, Arthur M.

doi:10.1300/j077v16n03_05

Cited by 44 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…For instance, communication skills have been found to be relatively helpful for individual and marital adjustment in general and specific population samples [118][119][120][121][122][123]. Although communication has been explored within the context of family functioning following TBI [21,53], the authors are not aware of any study investigating communication skills within the context of marital relationships following TBI.…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological and marital adjustment in couples following a traumatic brain injury (TBI): A critical review

Blais

Boisvert

2005

Brain Injury

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The first part of this paper examines current data describing the psychological and marital adjustment of couples following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although these findings reveal some discrepancies, they highlight that adjustment following a TBI represents a genuine challenge for those involved in the process. The second part moves toward the examination of factors associated with psychological and marital adjustment in both couple partners. Here again, there exists a large diversity in empirical data and theoretical models informing this emerging area of interest. Nevertheless, cognitive variables such as coping skills are commonly seen as critical variables to explain the adjustment level in people with TBI and their spouse/caregivers. Concurrently with the discussion of the methodological issues and pitfalls encountered in this area of research, the conclusion provides suggestions of further steps to undertake in this endeavour toward a better understanding of the adjustment process following TBI.

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Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological and marital adjustment in couples following a traumatic brain injury (TBI): A critical review

Blais

Boisvert

2005

Brain Injury

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“…The authors' conclusions were based on the group leaders' impressions rather than on rigorous collection of data or on mechanisms of analysis. Bucher et al (1999) reviewed a group program incorporating three two-hour sessions and a full-day workshop. Sessions for caregivers of cancer patients (stage of disease not specified) covered basic problem-solving techniques, symptom management, and methods of obtaining community resources.…”

Section: Studies With a Less Than Optimal Evidence Base Or Published mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Critical Review of Supportive Interventions for Family Caregivers of Patients with Palliative-Stage Cancer

Hudson

2004

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

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ABSTRACT. The impact of supporting a dying family member has frequently been reported as extremely challenging. In addition, family members of dying cancer patients have consistently identified a need for additional guidance and support from health care professionals. Provision of high-quality palliative care services should include strategic support for families of patients confronted with a life-threatening diagnosis. To date, however, few published strategies clearly identify the most effective means of providing family support. The author seeks to provide a critical evaluation of past supportive interventions for family caregivers of dying cancer patients. The report confirms an urgent need for new supportive-care strategies for families to be tested. In addition, the review offers recommendations for designing and evaluating future family caregiver interventions. Psychoeducational interventions evaluated via randomized controlled trials are considered to be a priority.

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“…Caregiver education programs have integrated PST principles in individual, face-to-face sessions 22 and in electronic bulletin boards. 23 PST was successfully provided in telephone sessions to community-residing caregivers of stroke survivors 24 and caregivers of persons with SCI. 25 PST has also been used in internet-based sessions to lower parental distress and improve social functioning of children with TBI.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Problem-Solving Training for Family Caregivers of Persons With Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Rivera

Elliott

Berry

et al. 2008

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

135

128

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Objective-To test the hypothesis that a problem-solving training program would lower depression, health complaints, and burden, and increase well-being reported by community-residing family caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Design-Randomized controlled trial. Setting-General community.Participants-Of the 180 people who expressed interest in the study, 113 did not meet eligibility criteria. A consenting sample of family caregivers were randomized into a problem-solving training group (4 men, 29 women; average age, 51.3y) or an education-only control group (34 women; average age, 50.8y). Care recipients included 26 men and 7 women in the intervention group (average age, 36.5y) and 24 men and 10 women in the control group (average age, 37.2y).Intervention-Problem-solving training based on the D'Zurilla and Nezu social problem-solving model was provided to caregivers in the intervention group in 4 in-home sessions and 8 telephone follow-up calls over the course of their year-long participation. Control group participants received written educational materials and telephone calls at set intervals throughout their 12 months of participation.Main Outcome Measures-Caregiver depression, health complaints, well-being, and social problem-solving abilities.Results-Hierarchical linear models revealed caregivers receiving problem-solving training reported significant decreases in depression, health complaints, and in dysfunctional problem-solving styles over time. No effects were observed on caregiver well-being, burden, or constructive problemsolving styles.Conclusions-Problem-solving training provided in the home appears to be effective in alleviating distress and in decreasing dysfunctional problem-solving styles among family caregivers of persons Reprint requests to Patricia A. Rivera, PhD, Birmingham VAMC, 700 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233, No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated. NIH Public Access KeywordsBrain injuries; Caregivers; Problem-solving; Randomized controlled trials; RehabilitationEvidence accumulating from decades of empirical research substantiates that many family caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience considerable distress and compromised quality of life, generally, in the wake of the neurobehavioral changes imposed by TBI. 1 To a great extent, this research has been content to describe the various demographic, social, and psychologic correlates of distress, depression, and burden reported by caregivers. Despite this evidence, a recent critical review identified only 4 published studies to date of interventions to alleviate caregiver distress, and it concluded that there is currently no evidence supporting the usefulness of any single psychosocial intervention for family caregivers of persons with TBI. 2Much of the available research on caregiver distress after TBI...

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Improving Problem-Solving Skills of Family Caregivers Through Group Education

Cited by 44 publications

References 8 publications

Psychological and marital adjustment in couples following a traumatic brain injury (TBI): A critical review

Psychological and marital adjustment in couples following a traumatic brain injury (TBI): A critical review

A Critical Review of Supportive Interventions for Family Caregivers of Patients with Palliative-Stage Cancer

Problem-Solving Training for Family Caregivers of Persons With Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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