Guilt Focused Intervention for Family Caregivers. Preliminary Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Issue 5 (20th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romero-Moreno, Rosa; Márquez-González, María; Gallego-Alberto, Laura; Cabrera, Isabel; Vara-García, Carlos; Pedroso-Chaparro, María Del Sequeros; Barrera-Caballero, Samara; Losada, Andrés
• Is Part Of: Clinical gerontologist. Volume 45:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 1304
• Page End: 1316
• Publication Date: 2022-10-20
• Subjects: Anxiety -- compassion -- dementia -- depression -- treatment; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Mental health services -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2022.2048287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0731-7115

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: A pilot randomized controlled trial study was conducted for testing the efficacy of a novel Guilt Focused Intervention (GFI), that was compared with a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) for caregivers of people with dementia with high levels of guilt and distress. Methods: Participants were 42 caregivers who were randomized assigned to the intervention conditions. Results: Participants in the GFI showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and guilt at posttreatment and follow-up. Participants in the CBI presented reductions in anxiety and guilt at posttreatment and follow-up. Clinically significant change for guilt was found in 62.5% in the GFI and 9.09% in the CBI group at posttreatment. At follow-up, 58.33% in GFI and 12.5% in the CBI group were recovered. Conclusions: The preliminary results of this pilot study suggest that caregivers with significant levels of guilt and distress might benefit from an intervention specifically designed to target guilt feelings. Clinical Implications: A novel and initial intervention approach specifically designed for targeting caregivers' feelings of guilt might have the potential to reduce caregiver's emotional distress.