EFFECTS OF SELF – HELP GROUP PROGRAM ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SELF - CARE BEHAVIORS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS’ CAREGIVERS IN NAWUNG SUB-DISTRICT COMMUNITY, MUEANG DISTRICT, PHETCHABURI

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to study the effects of self-help group program on the mental health self-care behaviors of schizophrenic patients’ caregivers in Nawung Sub-district community, Mueang District, Phetchaburi.

               Methods: The research samples consisted of 60 members of schizophrenic patients’ caregivers in Nawung Sub-district community, Mueang District, Phetchaburi, who met the inclusion criteria. They were matched by age and duration of patient care. Moreover, they were divided equally into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. Caretakers in the experimental group received the care according to the program while the self-help group in the control group received the normal nursing care. Research instruments were: 1) The self-help group program for schizophrenic patients’ caregivers in the community that was developed by the researcher which was six group activities: orientation and relationship creating, self-awareness, self-help in daily routines, facing problems and stress management, effective communication and way of life in society, 2) General information questionnaire, and 3) Scale of mental health self-care behaviors of schizophrenia patients’ caregivers by using dependent t-test, independent t-test, mean, and standard deviation (SD) to analyze the data. These two instruments were tested for content validity by five experts. The second instrument had the Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient as of .95.

               Results: 1) The mean score on self-care behavior of the experimental group before and after participating in the program was significantly different at the statistical level of .01. 2) The mean score on self-care behavior of the experimental group and the control group after the experiment was significantly different at the statistical level of .01.

               Conclusion: The self-help group program for Schizophrenic patients’ caregivers in the community could increase the mental health self-care of Schizophrenic patients’ caregivers in Nawung Sub-district community, Muang district, Phetchaburi.