Psychoeducational interventions for family caregivers: Preliminary efficacy data

In this preliminary report, data are presented from the first 111 family member caregivers who participated in a psychoeducational program designed to teach specific skills for coping more effectively with caregiving. Results indicated that depression was reduced and morale was increased for those who were assigned to either of the two skill-building conditions compared to those assigned to the waiting-list condition. Our data suggest that family caregivers, who as a group experience a great deal of stress and stress-related disorders, are able to benefit substantially from structured programs designed to teach skills for better coping, despite adverse conditions of daily life.