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.
Mackenzie
Corey S
CS
Department of Psychology, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Ontario.
Peragine
Gina
G
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