Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Social Support in Reducing Burnout Among Elderly Caregivers in Nursing Home X, North Sumatra

Human development encompasses several stages, one of which is late adulthood, typically defined as the period from age 60 onward. During this stage, social interactions tend to become more selective, and maintaining social and emotional well-being becomes increasingly important. In many contexts, family members traditionally serve as the primary caregivers for older adults; however, the demands of modern life can place significant burdens on families, leading to increased reliance on institutional care facilities. Within these settings, caregivers often face excessive workloads, with one caregiver responsible for multiple residents, which can contribute to physical exhaustion and emotional burnout. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) combined with social support in reducing burnout among elderly caregivers. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit nine participants. Data were collected using the Burnout Scale, Psychological Flexibility Scale, and Social Support Scale, and analyzed using the N-Gain test and Mann-Whitney test. The findings indicated that ACT combined with social support significantly reduced caregiver burnout. Additionally, establishing a self-help group helped sustain these positive outcomes by providing a sustained platform for participants to share experiences, express emotions, and offer mutual support. These results suggest that integrating ACT and structured social support interventions may be a valuable approach to enhancing caregivers’ psychological well-being and preventing long-term burnout.