Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 1 of 1
Mechanisms of action of a psychological intervention for dementia caregivers: effects of behavioral activation and modification of dysfunctional thoughts
- Authors:
- LOSADA Andres, MARQUEZ-GONZALEZ Maria, ROMERO-MORENO Rosa
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(11), November 2011, pp.1119-1127.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Caring for the dependent elderly, especially if they are suffering from dementia, can have a significant negative impact on the carers physical and psychological health. Studies have demonstrated the negative effects of maladaptive thoughts and the positive effects of engaging in pleasurable activities on carer distress. This study tested the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioural intervention aimed at training caregivers to adapt their maladaptive thoughts about caregiving and increasing their leisure activities. A total of 170 Spanish carers were randomly distributed to the intervention condition or a control group. Depression, behavioural activation, and dysfunctional thoughts were assessed at baseline and post-intervention by ‘blinded’ interviewers. The intervention consisted of twelve group CBT-based sessions and training in the basic principles of dementia care. Significant intervention by time effects were found for depression, dysfunctional thoughts and frequency of leisure activities but only for the intervention group. The results demonstrate the positive mediator effect that modifying caregivers' dysfunctional thoughts and increasing their behavioural activation has on caregivers' depressive symptomatology.