The impact of training and support on stressamong care staff in nursing and residential homesfor the elderly

The present study assessed the impact of a training programme for care staff in nursing and residential homes for the elderly on symptoms of stress and work related pressure by means of a randomised controlled trial. Staff in 12 homes (six receiving training and six acting as controls) participated in a six month intervention devised for developing skills in individual care planning (Barrowclough & Fleming, 1986). Levels ofreported psychologicaldistress were shown to increase significantly among the control group sample at 6 months' follow-up with a worrying 57% of this group GHQ(28) caseness threshold. However, there was no significant increase in psychological distress amongst the care staff receiving the training intervention. In dependency among residents and the corresponding high levels of reported stress among care workers, further research into the efficacy of training and support for this group is sorely needed. reaching the view of the increasing levels of