Psycho-educational Intervention: Its Effect on the Psychological Distress and Optimism Among Family Caregivers of Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Hafez Afefe Barakat, Asmaa; Mohammed Ibrahim, Zienab

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2020.235897

Psycho-educational Intervention: Its Effect on the Psychological Distress and Optimism Among Family Caregivers of Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing/Ain Shams University, Egypt

² Lecturer of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing/Modern University for Information and Technology, Egypt

10.21608/ejhc.2020.235897

Abstract

Background: Bipolar disorder is a periodic and long-standing psychiatric disorder not only affects the patients but also affects the quality of life and psychological wellbeing of their families. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a psycho-educational intervention on the psychological distress and optimism among family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder. Setting: This study was conducted at the outpatient clinic affiliated to Abbassia mental health hospital. Subjects: a purposive sample of 60 family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder from the previously mentioned setting. Tools: Three questionnaires were used: 1) An interview questionnaire to assess demographic characteristics, knowledge, and reported practice among the studied caregivers 2) Psychological distress measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory, and 3) Life Orientation Scale to assess optimism. Results: The study results showed that there were significant differences between the pre and post-test in the four variables; knowledge, practice, psychological distress, and optimism; the P-Value was significant at 0.01 in knowledge and significant at 0.05 in practice, Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Life Orientation Scale. Conclusion: the psycho-educational intervention has a positive effect on reducing psychological distress and promoting optimism among family caregivers of patients with bipolar disorders. Recommendation: A continuous and periodic rehabilitation program should be conducted for family caregivers to improve their coping skills, optimism, and their quality of life.

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