Use of a Psychoeducational Skill Training DVD Program to Reduce Stress in Chinese Australian and Singaporean Dementia Caregivers: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Caring for a relative with dementia places caregivers at increased risk for psychological distress and adverse physical outcomes. Research on Chinese caregivers, and effective means of support for this group, is limited. This pilot study investigates effectiveness of a home-based psychoeducational skills training culturally tailored to increase coping among Chinese dementia caregivers. Twelve Chinese family caregivers, from Australia and Singapore (11 female) between 41 and 80 years old, completed the 8-week program. Measures of coping and psychological distresswere administered at baseline, mid-point and post-intervention. Caregivers encountered less problem behaviors in care recipients and were less distressed by their disruptive behaviors after completing the program; caregiver anxiety, depression, and worry appraisal remained unchanged. Feedback highlighted the value of culturally customized support.

KEYWORDS:

• Caregivers
• dementia
• psychoeducation
• DVD
• cross-cultural

Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Professor Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, on whose work our manuscript is based, and who provided generous advice and encouragement on this project, including permission to use and adapt the DVD materials.