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Mechanisms of action of a psychological intervention for dementia caregivers: effects of behavioral activation and modification of dysfunctional thoughts

Authors

Losada, Andrés, Márquez-González, María, Romero-Moreno, Rosa

Journal

International Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry, Volume: 26, No.: 11, Pages.: 1119-1127

Year of Publication

2011

Abstract

Objective: Different studies show the negative effects on caregivers’ health of maladaptive thoughts and the positive effects of engaging in pleasurable activities on distress. The aim of this study is to (a) test the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention aimed at training caregivers to flexibilize maladaptive thoughts regarding caregiving and increasing their leisure activities and to (b) analyse the mediator role in the effects of the intervention of caregivers’ change in dysfunctional thoughts and behavioral activation.; Methods: A total of 170 caregivers were contacted and randomly distributed to the intervention condition or to the control group. Depression, behavioral activation, and dysfunctional thoughts were assessed at baseline and post-intervention by ‘blinded’ interviewers. The intervention consisted in twelve group based sessions in which in addition to cognitive-behavioral techniques, caregivers’ were trained in basic principles for caring for a relative with dementia.; Results: Significant intervention by time effects were found for depression, dysfunctional thoughts and frequency of leisure activities. Only significant positive effects were found for the intervention group. The regression analysis for testing mediational effects of dysfunctional thoughts and leisure activities on the relationship between participating on the intervention and changes in depressive symptomatology show that mediation is established in both cases.; Conclusions: The results of our study contribute to the literature on interventions for dementia caregivers highlighting the positive mediator effect that modifying caregivers’ dysfunctional thoughts and increasing their behavioral activation has on caregivers’ depressive symptomatology.; Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Bibtex Citation

@article{Losada_2010, doi = {10.1002/gps.2648}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.2648}, year = 2010, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, pages = {n/a--n/a}, author = {Andr{'{e}}s Losada and Mar{'{i}}a M{'{a}}rquez-Gonz{'{a}}lez and Rosa Romero-Moreno}, title = {Mechanisms of action of a psychological intervention for dementia caregivers: effects of behavioral activation and modification of dysfunctional thoughts}, journal = {Int. J. Geriat. Psychiatry} }

Keywords

adaptation psychological, adult, aged, aged, 80 and over, analysis of variance, caregivers, carers, cbt, cognitive therapy, dementia, depression, female, humans, leisure, leisure activities, male, methods, middle aged, nursing, psychology, psychotherapy group, regression analysis, thinking

Countries of Study

Spain

Types of Dementia

Dementia (general / unspecified)

Types of Study

Randomised Controlled Trial

Type of Outcomes

Carers’ Mental Health, Other

Type of Interventions

Intervention for Carers

Carer Focussed Interventions

Other, Training programmes / workshops including behavioural training