An educational group program emphasizing community resources: A model for training caregivers of the chronically mentally ill.
Item
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Title
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An educational group program emphasizing community resources: A model for training caregivers of the chronically mentally ill.
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Identifier
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AAI9000052
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identifier
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9000052
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Creator
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Moore, Penelope Johnson.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Paul Kurzman
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Date
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1989
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Social Work | Sociology, Public and Social Welfare
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Abstract
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This educational group program emphasizing community resources was designed to address the problem of poor coordination and fragmentation of services within the community mental health delivery system. The study first recognized various aspects of family burden that makes it difficult for family caregivers of the chronically mentally ill to reach out to one another, but especially to mental health professionals for needed support and services. Secondly, it makes the assumption that, given caregivers' experiences, there may be a reluctance on their part to become linked to formal service providers. However, if taught what the mental health system is and how it operates, it was believed that caregivers would be better equipped to make decisions about the usefulness of various programs and services in meeting their needs.;The broad goals of intervention were to provide caregivers with concrete information about resources, to link them with resources, and to increase their confidence as care providers. The study was conducted in a satellite clinic of the outpatient department of psychiatry at a large metropolitan hospital. Participants were primarily the female parents of adult chronic patients who were living at home at the time of the study. Most parents worked, were over forty years of age, and could be considered of low middle income.;Four sets of questionnaires were developed to evaluate the experience of caregivers participating in a six weeks training program. The Needs Assessment Questionnaire was developed to determine what caregivers wanted from participation. A Participant Evaluation Questionnaire was developed and administered immediately after intervention, and a Program Evaluation Follow Up Questionnaire was administered after two years to determine caregivers' short-term and long-term satisfaction with the training protocol. An End of Meeting Feedback Sheet was developed to monitor on a weekly basis caregivers' satisfaction with the program.;The findings showed that caregivers were generally satisfied with the information obtained during training. Caregivers who had established links with resources prior to training felt more knowledgeable when dealing with mental health professionals or others in their support groups. Caregivers who were not linked to services began to utilize both professional and/or self-help resources following their involvement in the program. In addition, caregivers who were committed to their role as primary caretakers before training remained committed to this role after training. However, they became more confident confronting and dealing with aspects of their relatives' illness.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.S.W.
