Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Process and Outcomes: the Influence of Gains in Knowledge and Socioemotional Skills on Caregivers’ Well-being

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Trends in Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To assess the validity of intervention programs, we need to understand how they work and for whom. We evaluated a program for caregivers, ComTato, using a quasi-experimental design (pretest, posttest), to determine (a) which specific program-related gains are associated with improvements in well-being and (b) whether participants’ initial repertoire influences program benefits. All 37 participants (average age of 52.7 years) cared for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants completed instruments to evaluate their caregiving repertoire and their socioemotional well-being (use of constructive coping strategies, perceptions of burden, and quality of the caregiver-care recipient relationship). Caregivers learned about dementia, stress management, principles of social skills, the use of specific social skills, and principles of cognitive stimulation. We observed that (a) the greater the increase in knowledge and skills, the greater the increase in caregivers’ use of constructive coping strategies (r = .30, p = .037), with use of social skills being the component with the strongest association (r = .36, p = .014); (b) the greater the improvements in knowledge about social skills, the larger the reductions in conflicts with the care recipient (rho = − .28, p = .048); and (c) seven correlations indicated that the lower the caregivers’ initial repertoire, the greater their socioemotional health gains. Thus, increases in caregivers’ knowledge and socioemotional skills seem to contribute to improvements in their socioemotional well-being, and the lower their pre-existing repertoire, the more they benefitted from the program. In future studies, researchers should investigate how other socioemotional factors influence program benefits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Initially, the ComTato program was named the Programa dos 3Es (P3Es), in Portuguese, and was referred to as the “3Cs Program” (3CP), in English.

References

  • Alvira, M. C., Risco, E., Cabrera, E., Farré, M., Rahm Hallberg, I., Bleijlevens, M. H. C., Bleijlevens, M. H. C., Meyer, G., Koskenniemi, J., Soto, M. E., Zabalegui, A., & The RightTimePlaceCare Consortium. (2015). The association between positive–negative reactions of informal caregivers of people with dementia and health outcomes in eight European countries: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 71(6), 1417–1434. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Amador-Marín, B., & Guerra-Martin, M. D. (2017). Eficacia de las intervenciones no farmacológicas en la calidad de vida de las personas cuidadoras de pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer. Gaceta Sanitaria, 31(2), 154–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2016.09.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ambriz, M. G. J., Izal, M., & Montorio, I. (2012). Psychological and social factors that promote positive adaptation to stress and adversity in the adult life cycle. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(5), 833–848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-011-9294-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barham, E. J., Pinto, F. N. F. R., Andrade, A. R., Lorenzini, M. F. J., and Ferreira, C. R. (2015). Fundamentos e estratégias de intervenção para a promoção de saúde mental em cuidadores de idosos. In: S. G. Murta, C. Leandro-França, K. B. Santos, and L. Polejack, (Orgs.). Prevenção e promoção em saúde mental: Fundamentos, planejamento e estratégias de intervenção, (pp. 844-862). Novo Hamburgo, RS: Sinopsys.

  • Bianchi, M., Flesch, L. D., Alves, E. V. C., Batistoni, S. S. T., & Neri, A. L. (2016). Indicadores psicométricos da Zarit Burden Interview aplicada a idosos cuidadores de outros idosos. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 24(e2835), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.1379.2835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campos, C. R. F., Carvalho, T. R., Barham, E. J., Andrade, L. R. F., & Giannini, A. S. (2019). Entender e envolver: avaliando dois objetivos de um programa para cuidadores de idosos com Alzheimer. Psico, 50(1), e29444. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2019.1.29444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dancey, C. P., & Reidy, J. (2019). Estatística sem Matemática para Psicologia (7th ed.). Porto Alegre: Artmed.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Cola, M. C., Lo Buono, V., Mento, A., Foti, M., Marino, S., Bramanti, P., et al. (2017). Unmet needs for family caregivers of elderly people with dementia living in Italy: what do we know so far and what should we do next? The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 54, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958017713708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Prette, Z. A. P., & Del Prette, A. (2017). Habilidades Sociais e Competência Social para uma vida melhor. São Carlos, SP: EDUFSCar.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira, C. R. (2014). Ensinando cuidadores de idosos com doença de Alzheimer a usar estratégias de enfrentamento de estresse e estimulação cognitiva. In Monografia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Psicologia. Brasil: Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira, C. R. (2015). Ensinando cuidadores de idosos com doença de Alzheimer a usar estratégias de enfrentamento de estresse e estimulação cognitiva. Relatório Final de Iniciação Científica, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brasil.

  • Ferreira, C. R., and Barham, E. J. (2016). Uma intervenção para reduzir a sobrecarga em cuidadores que assistem idosos com doença de Alzheimer. Revista Kairós Gerontologia, 19(4), 111-130. Available in https://revistas.pucsp.br/index.php/kairos/article/view/31645/22037

  • Ferreira, C. R., Queluz, F. N. F. R., Ximenes, V. S., Isaac, L., & Barham, E. J. (2017). P3Es e a diminuição da sobrecarga em cuidadores: Confirmando efeitos em curto e longo prazo. Revista Kairós – Gerontologia, 20(3), 131–150. https://doi.org/10.23925/2176-901X.2017v20i3p131-150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., and Lazarus, R. S. (1985). If it changes it must be a process: a study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 150-170. Available in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2980281.

  • Gilhooly, K. J., Gilhooly, M. L. M., Sullivan, M. P., McIntyre, A., Wilson, L., Harding, E., Woodbridge, R., & Crutch, S. (2016). A meta-review of stress, coping and interventions in dementia and dementia caregiving. BMC Geriatrics, 16(106), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-016-0280-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kishita, N., Hammond, L., Dietrich, C. M., & Mioshi, E. (2018). Which interventions work for dementia family carers? An updated systematic review os randomized controlled trials of carer intervention. International Psychogeriatrics, 30(11), 1679–1696. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610218000947.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, O. Y., Ahn, H. S., Kim, H. J., & Park, K. W. (2017). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for caregivers of people with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of clinical neurology (Seoul, Korea), 13(4), 394–404. https://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2017.13.4.394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J., & Fox, J. A. (2004). Estatística para ciências humanas. São Paulo, SP: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marôco, J. (2014). Análise estatística com o SPSS Statistics. Pêro Pinheiro, Portugal: Report Number.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteiro, A. M. F., Santos, R. L., Kimura, N., Baptista, M. A. T., & Dourado, M. C. N. (2018). Coping strategies among caregivers of people with Alzheimer disease: a systematic review. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 40(3), 258–268. https://doi.org/10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0065.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pinquart, M., & Sörensen, S. (2006). Helping caregivers of persons with dementia: which interventions work and how large are their effects? International Psychogeriatrics, 18, 577–595. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610206003462.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, F. N. F. R., & Barham, E. J. (2014). Bem-estar psicológico: Comparação entre cuidadores de idosos com e sem demência. Psicologia, Saúde and Doenças, 15(3), 635–655. https://doi.org/10.15309/14psd150307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, F. N. F. R., Barham, E. J., and Albuquerque, P. P. (2013). Idosos vítimas de violência: fatores sociodemográficos e subsídios para futuras intervenções. Estudos e Pesquisas em Psicologia, 13(3), 1159-1181. (doi nonexistent).

  • Pinto, F. N. F. R., Barham, E. J., & Del Prette, Z. A. P. (2016). Interpersonal conflicts among family caregivers of the elderly: the importance of social skills. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto), 26(64), 161–170. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-43272664201605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Queluz, F. N. F. R., Barham, E. J., Santis, L., Ximenes, V. S., & Santos, A. A. A. (2018). Escala de Relacionamento da Díade: Evidências de validade para cuidadores de idosos brasileiros. Psico, 49(3), 294–303. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2018.3.28227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Queluz, F. N. F. R., Campos, C. R. F., Santis, L., Isaac, L., & Barham, E. J. (2019a). Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview: Evidencias de validez para la población brasileña de cuidadores de ancianos. Revista Colombiana de Psicología, 28(1), 99–113. https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v28n1.69442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Queluz, F. N. F. R., Kervin, E., Wozney, L., Fancey, P., McGrath, P. J., & Keefe, J. (2019b). Understanding the needs of caregivers of persons with dementia: a scoping review. International Psychogeriatrics, 1, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610219000243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rueda, F. J. M., & Zanon, C. (2016). Delineamento correlacional: Definições e aplicações. In M. N. Batista & D. C. Campos (Eds.), Metodologias de pesquisa em ciências: Análises quantitativa e qualitativa (pp. 115–124). Rio de Janeiro, RJ: LTC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savóia, M. G., Santana, P., & Mejias, N. P. (1996). Adaptação do Inventário de Estratégias de Coping de Folkman e Lazarus para o português. Revista Psicologia USP, 7(1–2), 183–201. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-51771996000100009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scazufca, M. (2002). Versão brasileira da Escala de Burden Interview para avaliação de sobrecarga em cuidadores de indivíduos com doenças mentais. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 24(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-44462002000100006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sebern, M. D., & Whitlatch, C. J. (2007). Dyadic Relationship Scale: a measure of the impact of the provision and receipt of family care. The Gerontologist, 47, 741–751. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/47.6.741.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silva, K. P., Dantas, L. Z., Nascimento, A. R., Melo, C. M., Haydu, V. B., and Pimentel, N. S. (2018). Repertório Comportamental: Uma Reflexão Sobre o Conceito. Comportamento em foco, 7, 155-164. (doi nonexistent).

  • Simonetti, J. P., & Ferreira, J. C. (2008). Estratégias de coping desenvolvidas por cuidadores de idosos portadores de doença crônica. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 42(1), 19–25. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342008000100003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomazatti, A. P. G., & Barham, E. J. (2010). Integrando medidas qualitativas e quantitativas Para avaliar a qualidade do relacionamento mãe-idosa e filha-cuidadora. Apresentação Oral no XVII Congresso de Iniciação Científica. São Carlos, SP: Universidade Federal de São Carlos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomomitsu, M. R. S. V., Perracini, M. R., & Neri, A. L. (2014). Fatores associados à satisfação com a vida em idosos cuidadores e não cuidadores. Ciência and Saúde Coletiva, 19(8), 3429–3440. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232014198.13952013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Lee, J., Bakker, T. J. E. M., Duivenvoorden, H. J., & Droes, R. M. (2014). Multivariate models of subjective caregiver burden in dementia: a systematic review. Ageing Research Reviews, 15, 76–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2014.03.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, C. S. C., & Zelman, D. C. (2019). Caregiver expressed emotion as mediator of the relationship between neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia patients and caregiver mental health in Hong Kong. Aging & Mental Health, 5, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1636200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ximenes, V. S. (2018). Um estudo correlacional entre habilidades sociais, suporte social e qualidade de vida em cuidadores familiares de idosos (Dissertação de Mestrado). Universidade Federal de São Carlos. SP: São Carlos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zarit, S. H. (2017). Past is prologue: how to advance caregiver interventions. Aging & Mental Health, 22(6), 717–722. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2017.1328482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarit, S.H., Reever, K.E., and Bach-Peterson, J. (1980). Relatives of the impaired elderly correlates of feelings of burden. The Gerontologist, 20, 649-655. Available in http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org

  • Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Skinner, E. A. (2009). Coping, development influences. In H. T. Reis & S. Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of human relationships. Newbury: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Availability of Data and Material

Not applicable.

Code Availability

Not applicable.

Funding

This research was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP Grant #2017/24026-0).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís km 235 - SP-310, São Carlos, Brazil

    Camila Rafael Ferreira Campos, Anik Giovanna Barham Setti & Elizabeth Joan Barham

  2. Department of Psychology, Uniararas University, Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500 - Jardim Universitario, Araras-SP, Brazil

    Thaís Ramos de Carvalho

  3. São Francisco University, R. Waldemar César da Silveira, 105 - Jardim Cura D’ars, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Francine Nathalie Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz

Authors
  1. Camila Rafael Ferreira Campos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thaís Ramos de Carvalho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Francine Nathalie Ferraresi Rodrigues Queluz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anik Giovanna Barham Setti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Elizabeth Joan Barham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

C. Campos, T. Carvalho, and F. Queluz wrote the manuscript with assistance from A. Setti and E. Barham. C. Campos conducted data collection with support from T. Carvalho and E. Barham. C. Campos and E. Barham analyzed the data and interpreted the findings. Moreover, C. Campos and E. Barham are the co-authors of ComTato. All authors provided substantive edits, and read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Camila Rafael Ferreira Campos.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethics Approval

This manuscript was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Carlos, reference numbers 503.726 and 1.403.186.

Consent to Participate

All participants signed an informed consent form, affirming that they understood the objectives of our project, the procedures it entailed, and their rights as participants.

Consent for Publication

In the informed consent form, there was a clause regarding consent to publish their data anonymously, which all participants also agreed to.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Campos, C.R.F., de Carvalho, T.R., Queluz, F.N.F.R. et al. Process and Outcomes: the Influence of Gains in Knowledge and Socioemotional Skills on Caregivers’ Well-being. Trends in Psychol. 29, 67–85 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-020-00044-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-020-00044-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation