Psychiatric Social Work Intervention in Spouse of Stroke Survivor

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers provide a base for long-term home care of stroke survivors. The overwhelming stress associated with caregiving hinders the ability of family caregivers to utilize their internal and external resources to cope with this situation, thereby placing their own health at risk. Studies have shown that psychosocial intervention like supportive counseling, psychoeducation, behavior activation can be effective in improving psychological wellbeing of care givers.  Aim and objective: The present study was aimed to help care giver of stroke survivor to improve psychological distress, strain and burden using psychiatric social work intervention. The objectives of the study was to identify the psychological distress in caregiver of stroke survivor, to assess family burden in caregiver of stroke survivor and to identify care giving strain in caregiver of stroke survivor. Methodology: Present study used a single subject case design and compared pre- and post-intervention baseline data. Assessment and intervention were completed in 2 months and follow up was done after two months of the post test.  The study was conducted at Centre of Rehabilitation Sciences, LGBRIMH, Tezpur. Assessment tools like, Family Assessment Device, Care Strain Index, Depression Anxiety Stress scale and Zarit Burden Interview were applied on caregiver. Based on these assessments psychiatric social work interventions were provided. Result: Psychiatric social work intervention showed a significant difference in the pre and post-test scores. Improvement was seen in the area of care burden, depression, anxiety, stress and family functioning. Conclusion: Psychiatric social work intervention can lead to improvement in psychological health, social well-being and social support in caregivers.

Keywords: Stroke, Caregivers, depression, anxiety, stress, Psychiatric social work