Measuring and enhancing self-efficacy among professional caregivers of individuals with dementia.
Nurses who provide care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are at risk of burnout. Self-efficacy is a psychological construct with the potential to help reduce or prevent the impact of caregiver stress. Evidence supporting a link between higher levels of self-efficacy and lower levels of stress is emerging among lay caregivers. However, concurrent research for professional caregivers lags behind, partly due to a lack of appropriate self-efficacy measures for this population. We developed an intervention to enhance self-efficacy and an inventory to measure its improvements among long-term care nurses. Training resulted in lasting improvements in knowledge and self-efficacy regarding the management of challenging team, resident, and family situations. Short-term reductions in caregiver burnout were also evident. Suggestions for maintaining improvements in caregiver burnout over longer periods are offered.
Department of Psychology, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Ontario.
Corey S
CS
Mackenzie
Gina
G
Peragine
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D017028:Caregivers; D003704:Dementia; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires