title: A mixed methods exploration of family members'/friends' roles in a self-care intervention for depressive symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this exploratory study were to examine the: (1) family and friend (F/F) support patients reported receiving and F/F reported providing to patients while participating in a self-care intervention (SCI) for depressive symptoms and (2) associations between different types of F/F support and patients' use of the self-care tools in the SCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven patients aged 40 + participating in an uncontrolled feasibility study of an SCI, completed structured telephone interviews about the support they received from F/F while participating in the SCI. Eighteen F/F completed questionnaires on the support they provided to patients during the SCI. Seven F/F participated in a post-study qualitative interview on their involvement in the SCI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 35% of patients reported receiving F/F support with the SCI. Patients' use of the behavioral tools was positively associated with patients' report of F/F support, and with F/F's report of instrumental support provided. F/F reported uncertainty about the type of support they should offer to patients in the SCI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  F/F involvement in SCIs for depressive symptoms may be helpful to patients and may foster adherence to these interventions. More research is warranted on the nature of such involvement from the perspective of patients and F/F.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sussman
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaffe
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mccusker
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Strumpf
authors.forename: Maida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sewitch
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belzile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Self-care; adherence; chronic illnesses; depression; family support