Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Psychoeducational Intervention for Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Disability and Chronic Illnesses: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Family caregivers of older adults with disabilities confront multifaceted challenges that often lead to significant physical, emotional, and psychological distress, severely impacting their quality of life. Traditional single interventions are inadequate in addressing these complex demands of caregiving, highlighting the need for more effective support strategies. This study involved 30 family caregivers from a tertiary hospital in eastern Thailand. Participants were purposively selected and completed data collection first (control group, n = 15), then other participants were purposively selected for the experimental group (n = 15). Data were collected using the Demographic and Health Data Form, Caregiving Skills Questionnaire, Coping Skills Questionnaire, and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Friedman test.

Results showed that at pre-discharge and 3-month follow-up, the median scores of caregiving skills, coping skills, and quality of life in the experimental group were significantly higher than at the baseline and that of the control group. In contrast, in the control group, only the median score of caregiving skills improved significantly from baseline, at pre-discharge, and 3-month follow-up, but coping skills and quality of life decreased significantly from baseline at pre-discharge and 3-month follow-up.   The findings suggest that the Simulation-Based Psychoeducational Training Program effectively enhances caregiver skills, coping skills, and quality of life, potentially revolutionizing future interventions. However, further study with larger and more diverse populations and multisites is needed