Integrative cognitive-behavioral and spiritual counseling for rural dementia caregivers with depression.
OBJECTIVE
Discuss initial evaluation of a program for training faith community nurses (FCNs) to conduct cognitive-behavioral and spiritual counseling (CBSC) for rural dementia caregivers (CGs), and present 2 case studies on the use of CBSC for treating depression in this population.


METHODS
Pre-post evaluation of the effectiveness of CBSC training and a case study analysis of the effectiveness of CBSC on CG problem improvement and depression.


METHODS
For FCN training, we used the FCN Counseling Comfort Scale, FCN Counseling Efficacy Scale, and the FCN Counseling Workshop Satisfaction Survey. The Problem Severity Scale and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used in the case studies.


RESULTS
Significant post-training increases in FCN counseling comfort and perceived counseling efficacy were obtained. Case study findings provided evidence of substantial improvement in caregiving problems and reductions in depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary outcomes of FCN training and CBSC for dementia CGs were promising. However, replication across the sample is required to evaluate the overall effectiveness of CBSC for reducing CG depression. Specific competencies and ethical considerations in supervising this form of intervention are also addressed.
Glueckauf
Robert L
RL
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4300, USA. robert.glueckauf@med.fsu.edu
Davis
W Shuford
WS
Allen
Kay
K
Chipi
Patty
P
Schettini
Gabriel
G
Tegen
Lance
L
Jian
Xu
X
Gustafson
David J
DJ
Maze
Janet
J
Mosser
Barbara
B
Prescott
Susie
S
Robinson
Fay
F
Short
Cindy
C
Tickel
Sandra
S
VanMatre
Joyce
J
DiGeronimo
Thomas
T
Ramirez
Carmen
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003142:Communication; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000379:methods*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012424:Rural Population; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education; D029181:Spirituality