title: Effects of three caregiver interventions: support, educational literature, and creative movement.
abstract: The primary focus of this study is to compare the effectiveness of three distinct intervention techniques in relieving some of the stress experienced by midlife daughters' caregiving for their frail mothers. The three techniques are: (a) a home-based literature "tip of the week" group, (b) a caregiver's support group, and (c) a creative-movement group. Based on a review of caregiving literature, no other studies have utilized a home-based literature intervention or a creative-movement intervention with midlife daughters providing informal care to frail mothers. As part of the weekly assessment evaluation, participants were asked to rate how helpful the previous week's session was with respect to five mental health variables: irritability, depression, anxiety, stress, and concentration. Overall, the support-based group had higher average scores for each of the five mental health variables and the highest overall mental health score. Future research and promising applications of future intervention programs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development & Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Waterbury, CT 06702, USA. laura.donorfio@uconn.edu
authors.forename: Laura K M
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Donorfio
authors.forename: Rheba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vetter
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vracevic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003237:Connecticut; D003405:Creativity; D003614:Dance Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology