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Problem-Solving Therapy for Caregivers
Book chapter

Problem-Solving Therapy for Caregivers

Christine Maguth Nezu, Andrew D Palmatier and Arthur M Nezu
Social problem solving: Theory, research, and training, pp 223-238
2004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/10805-013

Abstract

Specialized Interventions
In addition to the effects on patients themselves, the experience of chronic illness and its treatment can change the lives of significant people in the patient's life, especially the primary caregiver. For example, with regard to chronic medical illnesses such as cancer, stroke, or AIDS, shifts in health care economics, especially during the end of the 20th century and into the 21st century, have increased the degree to which the care, recovery, or end-of-life concerns of such patients takes place in the home. Thus, there is a potentially greater impact on the roles and responsibilities of family members (Houts, Nezu, Nezu, & Bucher, 1996). With regard to chronic mental impairment, such as dementia or developmental disabilities, early hospital discharges and greater reliance on family and community care have increased demands on individuals who may have little preparation for such significant caregiving responsibilities. This shift in caretaking has also increased professionals' attention to the vital roles, participation, and impact of the experience that chronic illness has on families and caregivers as they are required to become an extension of the health care or case management team (Houts et al., 1996). This chapter focuses on the role that problem-solving therapy or training (PST) has played in helping to meet the various psychological, emotional, and social needs of caregivers of individuals suffering from a variety of chronic medical or psychological problems. We begin with an overview of the deleterious effects of the caregiving role. Next, we provide a conceptual model that describes the relevance of PST for caregivers, followed by a brief review of the treatment outcome literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved)

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