1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Qatar Journal of Public Health
  4. Volume 2024, Issue 2
  5. Article
Volume 2024, Issue 2
  • EISSN: 3008-0738

Abstract

People of all ages, genders, social classes, income levels, and geographical regions can be affected by mental illness. Families of individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses face significant burdens, particularly due to their role as family caregivers.

This integrative review aims to characterize the interventions that support family caregivers to reduce their burden of caregiving.

Whittemore and Knafl’s methodology guided this integrative literature review. CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched for articles published between 2014 and 2023. Eighteen articles were identified as eligible studies to identify supportive interventions. These articles were then critically appraised and relevant data analyzed and synthesized to formulate the results.

The included studies reported interventions focused on family caregivers of relatives with mental illnesses. The two main themes of these studies are (a) interventions to offset the burden of caregiving and (b) outcomes related to these interventions. These interventions include psychoeducation, adaptive cognitive-behavioral strategies, peer support, and religious support.

Caring for a mentally ill family member is an extremely stressful situation for family caregivers. Supportive interventions found in this integrative review could help these family caregivers overcome their burdens.

© 2024 Author(s), licensee HBKU Press.,
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.14
2024-10-21
2024-11-07
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/qjph/2024/2/qjph.2024.14.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.14&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Wilz G, Soellner R. Evaluation of a short-term telephone-based cognitive behavioral intervention for dementia family caregivers. Clini Gerontol. 2015; 39:(1):25–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2015.1101631 .
     [Google Scholar]
  2. World Healt. Organization. Dementia [Internet]. World Health Organization; 2024 [cited 2023 Apr 08]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia .
  3. Lekoadi RG, Temane MA, Poggenpoel M, Myburgh CPH. Mental health of family members caring for individuals living with bipolar disorder. Afr J Nurs Midwifery. 2019; 21:(2):5822. https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/5822 .
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Ahmed A. Mental health problem and sustainable development in India: An overview. Indian J Community Health. 2019; 31:(2):173–8. https://doi.org/10.47203/ijch.2019.v31i02.004 .
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Khalaila R. Caregiver burden and compassion fatigue among Arab family caregivers of older relatives. J Appl Gerontol. 2021; 40:(7):722–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464820920100 .
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Masa’Deh R. Perceived stress in family caregivers of individuals with mental illness. J Psychosoc Nurs Mental Health Serv. 2017; 55:(6):30–5. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20170519-04 .
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Azman A, Jamir Sing PS, Sulaiman J. The mentally ill and their impact on family caregivers: A qualitative case study. Int Soc Work. 2017; 62:(1):461–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872817731146 .
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Palli A, Peppou LE, Economou M, Kontoangelos K, Souliotis K, Paschali A. Economic distress in families with a member suffering from severe mental illness: Illness burden or financial crisis? Evidence from Greece. Community Ment Health J. 2020; 57:(3):512–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00674-9 .
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Sharif L, Basri S, Alsahafi F, Altaylouni M, Albugumi S, Banakhar M, et al. An exploration of family caregiver experiences of burden and coping while caring for people with mental disorders in Saudi Arabia—a qualitative study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17:(17):6405. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176405 .
     [Google Scholar]
  10. AlMakhamreh SS. Exploring experiences of informal carers of mental health: Developing community intervention in social work in Jordan. Int Soc Work. 2017; 61:(6):1042–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872817695391 .
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Yu Y, Liu Z-W, Zhou W, Zhao M, Tang B-W, Xiao S-Y. Determining a cutoff score for the family burden interview schedule using three statistical methods. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2019; 19:(1):93. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-019-0734-8 .
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Abel KM, Bee P, Gega L, Gellatly J, Kolade A, Hunter D, An intervention to improve the quality of life in children of parents with serious mental illness: The Young SMILES feasibility RCT. Health Technol Assess. 2020; 24:(59):1–136. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta24590 .
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Alzahrani SH, Fallata EO, Alabdulwahab MA, Alsafi WA, Bashawri J. Assessment of the burden on caregivers of patients with mental disorders in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. BMC Psychiatry. 2017; 17:(1):202. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1368-1 .
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Kızılırmak B, Küçük L. Care burden level and mental health condition of the families of individuals with mental disorders. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2016; 30:(1):47–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2015.10.004 .
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Onwumere J, Learmonth S, Kuipers E. Caring for a relative with delusional beliefs: A qualitative exploration. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2016; 23:(3–4):145–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12291 .
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Ntsayagae EI, Poggenpoel M, Myburgh C. Experiences of family caregivers of persons living with mental illness: A meta-synthesis. Curationis. 2019; 42:(1):e1–9. https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v42i1.1900 .
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Kehyayan V, Mahfoud Z, Ghuloum S, Marji T, Al-Amin H. Internalized stigma in persons with mental illness in Qatar: A cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. 2021;9:685003. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.685003 .
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Dardas LA, Simmons LA. The stigma of mental illness in Arab families: A concept analysis. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2015; 22:(9):668–79. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12237 .
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Zolezzi M, Alamri M, Shaar S, Rainkie D. Stigma associated with mental illness and its treatment in the Arab culture: A systematic review. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2018; 64:(6):597–609. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764018789200 .
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Ayalew M, Workicho A, Tesfaye E, Hailesilasie H, Abera M. Burden among caregivers of people with mental illness at Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2019;18:1–11.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-019-0233-7 .
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Yin M, Li Z, Zhou C. Experience of stigma among family members of people with severe mental illness: A qualitative systematic review. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2019; 29:(2):141–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12668 .
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Chen L, Zhao Y, Tang J, Jin G, Liu Y, Zhao X. The burden, support and needs of primary family caregivers of people experiencing schizophrenia in Beijing communities: A qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry. 2019; 19:(1):75. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2052-4 .
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Ahmed, MA, Ghuloum SA. Qatar community mental health care: Achievements and challenges. Consort Psychiatr. 2021; 2:(2):76–80. https://doi.org/10.17816/cp78 .
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Bener A, Abou-Saleh MT, Dafeeah EE, Bhugra D. The prevalence and burden of psychiatric disorders in primary health care visits in Qatar: Too little time? J Family Med Prim Care. 2015; 4:(1):89. https://doi.org/10.4103/2249-4863.152262 .
     [Google Scholar]
  25. National Allianc. Mental Illness. Psychosocial treatments. n.d. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Psychosocial-Treatments.
  26. Ministry of Public Health (New national mental health, wellbeing program. 2022, November 06; https://www.qna.org.qa/en/News-Area/News/2022-11/06/0051-moph-announces-new-national-mental-health,-wellbeing-program .
  27. Wadoo O, Ahmed MAS, Reagu S, Al Abdull SA, Al Abdulla MAYA. Primary care mental health services in Qatar. BJPsych Int. 2021; 18:(1):15–8. https://doi.org/10.1192/bji.2020.45 .
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Bhugra D, Watson C, Wijesuriya R. Culture and mental illnesses. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2021; 33:(1–2):1–2. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2020.1777748 .
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Zolezzi M, Bensmail N, Zahrah F, Khaled SM, El-Gaili T. Stigma associated with mental illness: Perspectives of university students in Qatar. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017;13:1221–33. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S132075 .
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Haque A, Gilstrap LL, Ghuloum S. Mental health in Qatar: Challenges and prospects. UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing; 2020..
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Whittemore R, Knafl K. The integrative review: Updated methodology. J Adv Nurs. 2005; 52:(5):546–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03621.x .
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Hong QN, Fàbregues S, Bartlett G, Boardman F, Cargo M, Dagenais P et al. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Educ Inf. 2018; 34:(4):285–91. https://doi.org/10.3233/EFI-180221 .
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Lee H-J, Lin EC-L, Chen M-B, Su T-P, Chiang L-C. Randomized, controlled trial of a brief family-centred care programme for hospitalized patients with bipolar disorder and their family caregivers. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2018; 27:(1):61–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12294 .
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Zhou D-HR, Chiu Y-LM, Lo T-LW, Lo W-FA, Wong S-S, Luk K-L. Outside-in or inside-out? A randomized controlled trial of two empowerment approaches for family caregivers of people with schizophrenia. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2020; 41:(9):761–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1734992 .
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Jensen E, Carr R, Degnan A, Berry K, Edge D. Exploring service user and family perspectives of a culturally adapted family intervention (CaFI) for African-Caribbean people with psychosis: A qualitative study. Br J Clin Psychol. 2021; 60:(2):270–89. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12273 .
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Friedman-Yakoobian MS, Mueser KT, Giuliano AJ, Goff DC, Seidman LJ. Family-directed cognitive adaptation pilot: Teaching cognitive adaptation to families of individuals with schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatr Rehabil. 2016; 19:(1):62–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487768.2015.1125401 .
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Hansen NH, Juul L, Pallesen K-J, Fjorback LO. Effect of a compassion cultivation training program for caregivers of people with mental illness in Denmark. JAMA Netw Open. 2021; 4:(3):e211020. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.1020 .
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Boritz TZ, Sheikhan NY, Hawke LD, McMain SF, Henderson J. Evaluating the effectiveness of the family connections program for caregivers of youth with mental health challenges, Part I: A quantitative analysis. Health Expect. 2021; 24:(2):578–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13205 .
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Farhall J, Cugnetto ML, Mathews S, Ratcliff K, Farnan S, Higgins K. Outcomes and change processes of an established family education program for carers of adults diagnosed with a serious mental health condition. Psychol Med. 2020; 50:(7):1099–109. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291719000965 .
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Weiss JA, Thomson K, Burnham Rios. P, Albaum C, Chan V, Maughan A et al. A randomized waitlist-controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy to improve emotion regulation in children with autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2018; 59:(11):1180–91. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12915 .
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Hsiao C-Y, Lu H-L, Tsai Y-F. Caregiver burden and health-related quality of life among primary family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study. Qual Life Res. 2020; 29:(10):2745–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02518-1 .
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Kazemian S, Zarei N, Esmaeily M. Effect of strengthening family coping resources on emotion regulation of family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Evid Based Care J. 2020; 10:(2):7–17. https://doi.org/10.22038/EBCJ.2020.44754.2211 .
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Gharavi Y, Stringer B, Hoogendoorn A, Boogaarts J, Van Raai B, Van Meijel B. Evaluation of an interaction-skills training for reducing the burden of family caregivers of patients with severe mental illness: A pre-posttest design. BMC Psychiatry. 2018; 18:(1):84. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1669-z .
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Khalaila R, Cohen M. Emotional suppression, caregiving burden, mastery, coping strategies and mental health in spousal caregivers. Aging Ment Health. 2015; 20:(9):908–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2015.1055551 .
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Mentis M, Messinis L, Kotrotsiou E, Angelopoulos NV, Marneras C, Papathanasopoulos P. Efficacy of a support group intervention on psychopathological characteristics among caregivers of psychotic patients. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2014; 61:(4):373–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764014547075 .
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Stjernswärd S, Hansson L. Outcome of a web-based mindfulness intervention for families living with mental illness – a feasibility study. Inform Health and Soc Care. 2016; 42:(1):97–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538157.2016.1177533 .
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Pearce MJ, Medoff D, Lawrence RE, Dixon L. Religious coping among adults caring for family members with serious mental illness. Community Ment Health J. 2015; 52:(2):194–202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9875-3 .
     [Google Scholar]
  48. van der Sanden RLM, Pryor JB, Stutterheim SE, Kok G, Bos AER. Stigma by association and family burden among family members of people with mental illness: the mediating role of coping. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2016; 51:(9):1233–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1256-x .
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Tabeleão V, Tomasi E, de Avila Quevedo L. A randomized, controlled trial of the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention on family caregivers of patients with mental disorders. Community Ment Health J. 2017; 54:(2):211–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0126-7 .
     [Google Scholar]
  50. Zhang B, Conner KO, Meng H, Tu N, Liu D, Chen Y. Social support and quality of life among rural family caregivers of persons with severe mental illness in Sichuan Province, China: Mediating roles of care burden and loneliness. Qual Life Res. 2021; 30:(7):1881–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-021-02793-6 .
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Dadson DA, Annor F, Salifu Yendor J. The burden of care: psychosocial experiences and coping strategies among caregivers of persons with mental illness in Ghana. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2018; 39:(11):915–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2018.1496208 .
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Ewertzon M, Hanson E. Support interventions for family members of adults with mental illness: A narrative literature review. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2019; 40:(9):768–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2019.1591547 .
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Acri MC, Hamovitch EK, Lambert K, Galler M, Parchment TM, Bornheimer LA. Perceived benefits of a multiple family group for children with behavior problems and their families. Soc Work Groups. 2019; 42:(3):197–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/01609513.2019.1567437 .
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Hickey G, McGilloway S, Leckey Y, Leavy S, Stokes A, O’Connor S et al. Exploring the potential utility and impact of a universal, multi-component early parenting intervention through a community-based, controlled trial. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2020;118:105458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105458 .
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Cheng S-T, Au A, Losada A, Thompson LW, Gallagher-Thompson D. Psychological interventions for dementia caregivers: What we have achieved, what we have learned. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019; 21:(7):59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1045-9 .
     [Google Scholar]
  56. Koffel EA, Koffel JB, Gehrman PR. A meta-analysis of group cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Sleep Med Rev. 2015;19:6–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2014.05.001 .
     [Google Scholar]
  57. Polusny MA, Erbes CR, Thuras P, Moran A, Lamberty GJ, Collins RC. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans. JAMA. 2015; 314:(5):456–65. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.8361 .
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Grenyer BFS, Bailey RC, Lewis KL, Matthias M, Garretty T, Bickerton A. A randomized controlled trial of group psychoeducation for carers of persons with borderline personality disorder. J Pers Disord. 2019; 33:(2):214–28. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi_2018_32_340 .
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Asampong E, Ibrahim A, Sensoy-Bahar O, Kumbelim K, Yaro PB, McKay MM et al. Adaptation and implementation of the multiple-family group intervention in Ghana. Psychiatr Serv. 2021; 72:(5):571–7. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900626 .
     [Google Scholar]
  60. Niksalehi S, Namazi S, Tashk M, Bavaghar S, Afandi M, Jamalizadeh F. Impact of family psychoeducation intervention on relapse prevention in hospitalized psychiatric patients. Hormozgan Med J. 2019; 23:(4):e86970. https://doi.org/10.5812/hmj.86970 .
     [Google Scholar]
  61. Robinson-Lane SG, Zhang X, Patel A. Coping and adaptation to dementia family caregiving: A pilot study. Geriatr Nurs. 2021; 42:(1):256–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.08.008 .
     [Google Scholar]
  62. Coulacoglou C, Saklofske DH. Advances in theoretical, developmental, and cross-cultural perspectives of psychopathology. Psychom Psychol Assess. 2017;293–342.https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-802219-1.00011-0
     [Google Scholar]
  63. Losada A, Márquez-González M, Romero-Moreno R, Mausbach BT, López J, Fernández-Fernández V et al. . Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) versus acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for dementia family caregivers with significant depressive symptoms: Results of a randomized clinical trial. J Consul Clin Psychol. 2015; 83:(4):760–72. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000028 .
     [Google Scholar]
  64. LeMoult J, Gotlib IH. Depression: A cognitive perspective. Clin Psychol Rev. 2019;69:51–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2018.06.008 .
     [Google Scholar]
  65. Acri M, Hooley CD, Richardson N, Moaba LB. Peer models in mental health for caregivers and families. Community Ment Health J. 2016; 53:(2):241–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0040-4 .
     [Google Scholar]
  66. Dam AEH, de Vug ME, Klinkenberg IPM, Verhey FRJ, van Boxtel MPJ. A systematic review of social support interventions for caregivers of people with dementia: Are they doing what they promise? Maturitas. 2016;85:117–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.12.008 .
     [Google Scholar]
  67. Dutra CCD, Rocha HS. Religious support as a contribution to face the effects of social isolation in mental health during the pandemic of COVID-19. J Relig Health. 2021; 60:(1):99–111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01140-2 .
     [Google Scholar]
  68. Larkings JS, Brown PM. Do biogenetic causal beliefs reduce mental illness stigma in people with mental illness and in mental health professionals? A systematic review. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2017; 27:(3):928–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12390 .
     [Google Scholar]
  69. Ferrell BR, Kravitz K, Borneman T, Taratoot Friedman E. Family caregivers: A qualitative study to better understand the quality-of-life concerns and needs of this population. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2018; 22:(3):286–94. https://doi.org/10.1188/18.CJON.286-294 .
     [Google Scholar]
  70. Brodaty H, Donkin M. Family caregivers of people with dementia. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2009; 11:(2):217–28. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2009.11.2/hbrodaty .
     [Google Scholar]
  71. Shoesmith A, Hall A, Wolfenden L, Shelton RC, Powell BJ, Brown H et al. Barriers and facilitators influencing the sustainment of health behaviour interventions in schools and childcare services: A systematic review. Implement Sci. 2021; 16:(1):62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-021-01134-y .
     [Google Scholar]
  72. Gearing RE, Schwalbe CS, MacKenzie MJ, Brewer KB, Ibrahim RW, Olimat H et al. Adaptation and translation of mental health interventions in Middle Eastern Arab countries: A systematic review of barriers to and strategies for effective treatment implementation. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2013; 59:(7):671–81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764012452349 .
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.14
Loading
Supportive interventions for family caregivers of adults with mental illness: An integrative review
QJPH 2024, 14 (2024); https://doi.org/10.5339/qjph.2024.14
/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.14
/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.14
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Review Article
Keyword(s): burden of care, Family caregivers, mental illness and supportive interventions
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error