Military and Veteran Caregivers’ Perspectives of Stressors and a Mind-Body Program

Abstract

There are over one million post-9/11 military caregivers in the United States who face a variety of stressors inherent to caring for an incapacitated loved one. Mind-body interventions, such as the Stress Management and Resilience Training Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (SMART-3RP), have been shown to reduce stress and improve overall health and functioning. The present qualitative study aims to explore stressors experienced by military caregivers in their caregiving role and to assess attitudes towards the virtual delivery of the SMART-3RP. We conducted two focus groups with a total of 13 caregivers [M (SD) age = 41.25 (11.49); 92% female], and participants subsequently completed a survey on their caregiving experiences. Focus groups were conducted remotely via Google Hangouts by two doctoral-level clinicians, transcribed verbatim, and coded using inductive thematic analysis. Themes related to stressors of caregiving included: logistical stressors faced by caregivers, demands of the caregiving role, concerns about children, worries about the future, exacerbation of the caregiver’s physical/mental health concerns, social dynamics, sacrifices made for their veteran in the caregiving role, and relationship dynamics between the veteran and caregiver. Military caregivers found the SMART-3RP logical and felt as though it could be helpful to them. Caregivers expressed interest in a brief, virtual version of the SMART-3RP. Using the findings from the current study, we are adapting the SMART-3RP to be administered virtually as a podcast-based intervention.

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. We would also like to thank the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network and all focus group participants.

Disclosure statement

Dr. Fricchione, Dr. Brenner, Ms. Blackburn, and Ms. Laifer have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. Bui receives royalties from Springer Nature and has received grant/research support from NIH, DoD, and PCORI. Dr. Sylvia has served as a consultant for United Biosource Corporation, Clintara, Bracket, and Clinical Trials Network and Institute. She receives royalties from New Harbinger and has received grant/research support from NIMH, PCORI, AFSP, and Takeda. Dr. Park receives royalties from UpToDate.