title: Relieving stress. A short-term support group for home attendants.
abstract: Home attendants (HAs) work in relative isolation, burdened by conflicting demands. This article details an eight-session support group for HAs, designed to explore its effects on their work life. Meeting for hour-and-a-half sessions with no fixed agenda, the group offered members an opportunity to communicate with others in similar situations. Participants reported that the group experience helped relieve stress and made them feel less alone. Other benefits included gaining strategies for coping with difficult situations and learning to set boundaries. Further investigation into the effectiveness of similar groups is suggested.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blaine
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D018576:Home Health Aides / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support