The Effect of Internet Group Support for Caregivers on Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiver Burden: A Meta-Analysis.
Family caregivers are socially isolated and burdened as they care for their loved one, often for many years. Internet support groups can address some of the barriers related to the social isolation, self-efficacy, and burden experienced during caregiving by connecting individuals with similar problems to one another. The purpose of the meta-analysis was to analyze the effect of Internet-based group support interventions on social support, self-efficacy, and burden.



A two-step search process was used to identify peer reviewed evidence to answer the research question. Multiple databases, including MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and several others, were searched to identify systematic reviews from which to identify the final articles for data extraction.



Seven systematic reviews identified 10 studies to answer the research question. A statistically significant effect was found from the interventions targeting social support and self-efficacy. We were unable to assess the effect of these interventions on caregiver burden due to the variance in measurement constructs.



While it has been found that Internet group support interventions have a positive effect on social support and self-efficacy, the size and quality of studies are moderate, and thus, large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed for a higher level of evidence.
1 Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.
Debbie
D
Parker Oliver
1 Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.
Sonal
S
Patil
2 Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.
Jacquelyn J
JJ
Benson
3 Department of Communication Disorders and Social Work, University of Central Missouri , Warrensburg, Missouri.
Ashley
A
Gage
1 Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.
Karla
K
Washington
1 Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri.
Robin L
RL
Kruse
4 Bio-behavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington School of Nursing & Biomedical and Health Informatics , School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
George
G
Demiris
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*
Internet; caregiving; e-Health; meta-analysis; outcomes; social support; support groups