title: The development of a strength-focused mutual support group for caretakers of children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the efficacy of a strength-focused mutual support group for reducing stress and enhancing psychological well-being of the caretakers of children with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pre- and post-intervention outcome study, conducted by Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital, recruited 12 primary caretakers of children with cerebral palsy in Hong Kong. A strength-focused support group manual was developed to help such caretakers to identify and cultivate the character strengths of their children and enhance their own positive emotions. Participants were asked to complete a full set of questionnaires at 3 time-points: before and immediately after the intervention (consisting of 4 weekly sessions), and after the 1-month follow-up booster session. Two additional questionnaires were administered before each session to check mood. Parenting stress, anxiety, depression, social support, hope, and other psychological well-being measures were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Half of the caretakers (n = 6) who had attended the full intervention programme were included in the data analysis. Participants exhibited a significantly lower level of parental stress and higher hope level both after the 4 intervention sessions and at the booster session. Their perceived social support was significantly increased when the group was ongoing but not after it ended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This group intervention programme could effectively help caretakers reduce their parenting stress and enhance their hopefulness. Launching a similar programme with more sessions and regular follow-up sessions might help maintain positive effects and establish a social support network.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. bkkfung@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: B K K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: S M Y
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: A S M
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: E Y P
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: K W Y
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: P I G
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Barlaan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires