Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Bipolar disorder is associated with significant impairment in personal and social functioning for the individual and their caregivers. Psychoeducation for caregivers is beneficial, but interventions have typically required a significant time commitment and have not assessed changes in se...

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Main Authors: Hubbard, A., McEvoy, Peter, Smith, L., Kane, Robert
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier BV 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/40325
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author Hubbard, A.
McEvoy, Peter
Smith, L.
Kane, Robert
author_facet Hubbard, A.
McEvoy, Peter
Smith, L.
Kane, Robert
author_sort Hubbard, A.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Bipolar disorder is associated with significant impairment in personal and social functioning for the individual and their caregivers. Psychoeducation for caregivers is beneficial, but interventions have typically required a significant time commitment and have not assessed changes in self-efficacy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief, two-session psychoeducational intervention for caregivers. It was hypothesized that the intervention would reduce caregiver burden and distress, and increase bipolar disorder knowledge and bipolar disorder self-efficacy. Methods: Participants (N=32) were randomized to immediate or waitlist control conditions. The intervention involved two, 150-minute group sessions spaced one-week apart. At pre-, post-, and one-month follow-up participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), Burden Assessment Scale, Knowledge of Bipolar Disorder Scale, and a Bipolar Disorder Self-efficacy Scale. Results: Compared to the waitlist control group, the immediate treatment group demonstrated large and significant reductions in caregiver burden, and increases in bipolar disorder knowledge and bipolar disorder self-efficacy. These improvements maintained or increased to follow-up. No significant change was observed on the DASS-21. Limitations: Reliance on self-report and the sample comprised mostly of parents and partners, so it unclear if results generalize to other carer groups. Conclusions: Large and enduring improvements in carer burden, knowledge, and bipolar disorder self-efficacy can be achieved from a very brief, two-session intervention.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-403252017-09-13T15:37:43Z Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial Hubbard, A. McEvoy, Peter Smith, L. Kane, Robert Background: Bipolar disorder is associated with significant impairment in personal and social functioning for the individual and their caregivers. Psychoeducation for caregivers is beneficial, but interventions have typically required a significant time commitment and have not assessed changes in self-efficacy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief, two-session psychoeducational intervention for caregivers. It was hypothesized that the intervention would reduce caregiver burden and distress, and increase bipolar disorder knowledge and bipolar disorder self-efficacy. Methods: Participants (N=32) were randomized to immediate or waitlist control conditions. The intervention involved two, 150-minute group sessions spaced one-week apart. At pre-, post-, and one-month follow-up participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), Burden Assessment Scale, Knowledge of Bipolar Disorder Scale, and a Bipolar Disorder Self-efficacy Scale. Results: Compared to the waitlist control group, the immediate treatment group demonstrated large and significant reductions in caregiver burden, and increases in bipolar disorder knowledge and bipolar disorder self-efficacy. These improvements maintained or increased to follow-up. No significant change was observed on the DASS-21. Limitations: Reliance on self-report and the sample comprised mostly of parents and partners, so it unclear if results generalize to other carer groups. Conclusions: Large and enduring improvements in carer burden, knowledge, and bipolar disorder self-efficacy can be achieved from a very brief, two-session intervention. 2016 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/40325 10.1016/j.jad.2016.04.013 Elsevier BV fulltext
spellingShingle Hubbard, A.
McEvoy, Peter
Smith, L.
Kane, Robert
Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial
title Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial
title_full Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial
title_short Brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial
title_sort brief group psychoeducation for caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder: a randomized controlled trial
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/40325