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Guilt Focused Intervention for Family Caregivers. Preliminary Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Year: 2022

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

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.

Source: Clinical Gerontologist

DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2022.2048287