Psychoeducational intervention against support groups for caregivers
A randomised controlled trial of its effectiveness
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21284050 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sara Jiménez García-Tizón (0000-0003-3960-8665, Universidad de Salamanca, corresponding author), María Belén Bueno Martínez (0000-0001-6587-9835, Universidad de Salamanca), Ana Belén Navarro Prados (0000-0003-1931-4619, Universidad de Salamanca) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 265 |
| Pages | 106676 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Acta Psychologica (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106676 |
| PMID | 41833266 |
| OpenAlex | W7135372308 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 35 |
BACKGROUND: To explore the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention compared with support groups and the usual care in caregivers. Providing care involves major changes in the lives of caregivers, with far-reaching repercussions. There is evidence that acting upon its mediator variables reduces its effects. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 35 family caregivers of people with dementia. Mediator variables were assessed using the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (problem-solving skills), the Leisure Time Satisfaction scale (rewarding activities), the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (self-efficacy), the Social Skills Scale (assertive behaviour), the Psychosocial Support Questionnaire (social support), and the Dysfunctional Thoughts Questionnaire (dysfunctional thoughts related with caregiving); and outcome variables were measured with the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (burden), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (depressive symptomatology), the Perceived Stress Scale (stress), and the WHOQOL-AGE (quality of life). RESULTS: Those participating in the psychoeducational intervention highlight significant improvements in their problem-solving skills, leisure time, self-efficacy for self-care and for the control of upsetting thoughts at the post-treatment; and significant reductions in depressive symptomology and in dysfunctional thoughts that were maintained at the follow-up. Furthermore, their stress decreased, and their quality of life increased at the follow-up. Those in support groups did not show any significant changes at the post-treatment. Usual care caregivers suffer a significant deterioration in almost all the variables. CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions need to be developed to improve the biopsychosocial state of caregivers. The presented psychoeducational intervention may help family caregivers because is more effective than others
Biopsychosocial model · Dysfunctional family · Intervention (counseling) · Psychoeducation · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Randomized controlled trial · Social support · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · Problem Solving Skills Development
Family Caregiving for Older Adults
The CES-D Scale
Relatives of the Impaired Elderly
Association of Enjoyable Leisure Activities With Psychological and Physical Well-Being
Fatores associados à satisfação com a vida em idosos cuidadores e não cuidadores
The Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy
Do the caregiving spouses of people with dementia in Spain perceive the same barriers for taking part in interventions as caregiving offspring
Prevalence of depression and burden among informal care-givers of people with dementia
Caregiving and the Stress Process
A Global Measure of Perceived Stress
| Highly cited | No |
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