Effectiveness of a stress-relief initiative for primary caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
This study provides a perspective on the mental health status and analyses the effectiveness of a stress-relief program for primary caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability (ID).


METHODS
Seventy-seven primary caregivers of people with ID were recruited (intervention group, n = 31; non-intervention group, n = 46) to the study, which involved participation in one stress management workshop (intervention group only) and both groups reading an education booklet on stress management.


RESULTS
We found that 22.1% of caregivers in the study were at high risk of depressive stress and in need of mental health consultation; this prevalence was nearly six times that of the general population. The effectiveness of mental health initiatives resulted in a significant reduction in depressive stress for the intervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study highlights that a "face-to-face" workshop is an effective way to decrease levels of depressive stress.
Hu
Jung
J
School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
Jin-Ding
JD
Yen
Chia-Feng
CF
Loh
Ching-Hui
CH
Hsu
Shang-Wei
SW
Lin
Lan-Ping
LP
Wu
Sheng-Ru
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome