1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« The purpose of this randomized study was to test the efficacy of an intervention programme entitled ’Taking Care of Myself’ on selected indicators of mental health of daughter caregivers of elderly parents with dementia living in a long-term care setting. » (p. 23)

Questions/Hypothèses :
« The hypotheses were that, compared with those in the CG [Control Group] and the AG [Alzeimer group], the caregivers in the EG [Experimental group] would: (H1) report less psychological distress and less role overload; (H2) would perceive significantly less stress related to their caregiving situation; (H3) would use three coping strategies (problem solving, reframing and stress symptoms management) significantly more often; and (H4) would report significantly greater competence dealing with health care staff [...]. » (p. 28)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« In all, 137 French-speaking adult-daughter primary caregivers took part in both times of the study (EG = 45 caregivers, AG =
51 and CG = 41). » (p.29)

Instruments :
- Psychological Distress Index;
- Scale developed by Pearlin et al. (1990) to assess role overlead;
- Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM);
- Carers’ Assessment of Managing Index (CAMI);
- The Instrument developed by Koren, DeChillo, and Friesen (1992) to assess controle in relation with health care.

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique et analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

« The study is about an intervention program called ’Taking Care of Myself’ and its evaluation. It assesses the health of daughter caregivers of their parents living with dementia. » The programme is based on an empowerment perspective and on a stress and coping theoretical framework. Three groups of caregivers were compared: one took part in the experimental programme (EG, N= 45), one in a comparison programme offered by a Quebec Alzheimer Society (AG, N = 51), and another was a control group (CG, N = 41). Two successful outcomes are unique to the EG condition, that is, competence dealing with health care staff and perceived challenge of the caregiver role. Prediction analyses also provide statistical support for the efficacy of the EG and AG conditions to produce successful outcomes with respect to common indicators (perceived threat and role overload, control by self, informal/formal social support, and use of the coping strategy of reframing). These results provide avenues of intervention for promoting the mental health of caregivers of an institutionalized relative. » (p. 23)