Cited by 360Nursing care and researchDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchIntergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Evidence-based psychological treatments for distress in family caregivers of older adults.

Gallagher-Thompson, Dolores, Coon, David W.·2007·Psychology and Aging

Abstract

This review identifies evidence-based psychological treatments (EBTs) for reducing distress, and improving well-being, of family members caring for an older relative with significant cognitive and/or physical impairment. Three categories of psychologically derived treatments met EBT criteria: psychoeducational programs (N = 14 studies), psychotherapy (N = 3 studies), and multicomponent interventions (N = 2 studies). Specifically, support within the psychoeducational category was found for skill-training programs focused on behavior management, depression management, and anger management and for the progressively lowered threshold model. Within the psychotherapy category, cognitive-behavioral therapy enjoys strong empirical support. Within the multicomponent category, programs using a combination of at least 2 distinct theoretical approaches (e.g., individual counseling and support group attendance) were also found to be effective. Suggestions for future research include the development of more well-integrated multicomponent approaches, greater inclusion of ethnically diverse family caregivers in research protocols, and greater incorporation of new technologies for treatment delivery.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0882-7974.22.1.37

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89 of 89 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Individual and family counseling, psychoeducational programs, skills training programs and multi-component intervention programs have shown potential in improving caregiver mood, quality of life and delaying institutionalization of the care recipient.

    “Individual and family counseling, psychoeducational programs, skills training programs and multi-component intervention programs have shown potential in improving caregiver mood, quality of life and delaying institutionalization of the care recipient [7–9].”
  • Gallagher-Thompson and Coon (2007) identified three categories of psychologically derived interventions: psychoeducational programmes (N = 14 studies), psychotherapy (CBT) (N = 3), and multicomponent interventions (family counselling with support group) (N = 2).

    “They identified three categories of psychologically derived interventions: psychoeducational programmes ( N = 14 studies), psychotherapy (CBT) ( N = 3), and multicomponent interventions (family counselling with support group) ( N = 2).”
  • Previous comprehensive reviews (Elvish et al., 2013; Gallagher-Thompson and Coon, 2007) suggested that psychoeducational programmes and CBT based psychotherapeutic interventions can better impact on emotional wellbeing of dementia carers among other approaches.

    “The current review particularly focuses on psychoeducational programmes and CBT based psychotherapeutic interventions as previous comprehensive reviews (Elvish et al. , 2013; Gallagher-Thompson and Coon, 2007) suggested that these approaches can better impact on emotional wellbeing of dementia carers among other approaches.”
  • In Gallagher-Thompson and Coon (2007), the largest effect size was found in the psychotherapy category (CBT), with an overall effect size of CBT for psychological distress of 1.20.

    “The largest effect size was found in the psychotherapy category (CBT). An overall effect size of CBT for psychological distress was 1.20.”
  • Existing research on dementia carers is still largely focused on treating depression and burden, and this trend has not changed substantially since earlier systematic reviews.

    “First, the existing research on dementia carers is still largely focused on treating depression and burden and this trend has not changed substantially since earlier systematic reviews (Gallagher-Thompson and Coon, 2007; Pinquart and Sörensen, 2006).”

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Authors
Gallagher-Thompson, D., & Coon, D. W.
Affiliations
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
  • Arizona State University (US)
Venue
Psychology and Aging
Published
2007-03
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
37-51
ISSN
  • 0882-7974 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1498
OpenAlex
W2094437177
Cited by
358
References
89
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 19
FWCI
70.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychology and Aging (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (AG 18784; AG 13289)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
Keywords
family caregivers, older adults, caregiver distress, psychological intervention, psychoeducational intervention, psychotherapy, multicomponent intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, anger management, depression treatment, behavior management, support groups, well-being
MeSH terms
Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Counseling, Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Stress, Psychological, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Caregivers

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