Predicting Attendance at Dementia Family Support Groups

This longitudinal study examined the predictors of dementia family caregivers' self-reported attendance at support group meetings over 6 months. First-time attendees were contacted by telephone after their first meeting and assessed for (a) perceptions of similarity between themselves and other members, (b) depressive symptoms, and (c) perceptions of social support from the facilitator and other members. Participants (N = 70) were recontacted 6 months later to obtain self-reports of attendance patterns. Self-reported attendance at any meeting during this follow-up period was predicted by perceived similarity in care recipient's stage of dementia and perceived support from group members as assessed at the first interview. Greater perceived support from group members and fewer depressive symptoms at time 1 predicted a higher frequency of support group attendance over the follow-up period. Results have implications for orienting new support group members as well as training and supporting group facilitators.