The effect of group work on depression level and family functions of family members caring for stroke patients

ABSTRACT

Family members are often the caregivers of stroke patients and have an important role in their care and treatment. In this study, it was aimed to support family functionality and reduce depressive symptoms of family members caring for stroke patients with group work method. Family members who care for 14 stroke patients participated in the study and the meetings, the main themes of which were predetermined, lasted for five weeks. The participants were administered the “Family Assessment Device’’ and “Beck Depression Scale’’ as pretest and posttest. It was understood that the online group work was effective in the regression of depression symptom level in the participants. Workshops and group workshops should be organized by social workers to reduce the difficulties of family members caring for stroke patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Stroke
• caregiver
• family
• group work
• social work

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.