Effectiveness of a stress-relief initiative for primary caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability

Jung Hu, Jin Ding Lin, Chia Feng Yen, Ching Hui Loh, Shang Wei Hsu, Lan Ping Lin, Sheng Ru Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background This study provides a perspective on the mental health status and analyses the effectiveness of a stress-relief program for primary caregivers of adolescents with intellectual disability (ID). Method Seventy-seven primary caregivers of people with ID were recruited (intervention group, n = 31; non-intervention group, n = 46) to the study, which involved participation in one stress management workshop (intervention group only) and both groups reading an education booklet on stress management. Results We found that 22.1% of caregivers in the study were at high risk of depressive stress and in need of mental health consultation; this prevalence was nearly six times that of the general population. The effectiveness of mental health initiatives resulted in a significant reduction in depressive stress for the intervention group. ConclusionsThe study highlights that a "face-to-face" workshop is an effective way to decrease levels of depressive stress.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-35
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 1 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Caregiver
  • Depression
  • Intellectual disability
  • Mental health
  • Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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