Knowledge and Interpersonal Skills to Develop Exemplary Relationships

University of Southern California23 enrolled

Overview

This pilot study will test the effect of an online asynchronous psychoeducational intervention to improve relationship quality and prevent verbal-type elder mistreatment in caregiving dyads. The investigators will use a pre-post test design to test the feasibility and acceptability of this video-based intervention, and to determine the likelihood that participation in this program may improve caregiver relationship quality.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Caregivers Family Relations Domestic Violence Elder Abuse

Interventions

KINDERBEHAVIORAL

KINDER is an online course for people assisting an older adult with dementia. It is intended to improve the quality of caregiver's relationship with the care recipient and reduce the chance of risky relationship behavior (e.g., yelling). Courses will cover topics including understanding cognitive impairments, navigating evolving roles, and dealing with frustration. During this course, participants will learn skills to deal with difficult situations caregivers frequently encounter in ways that support a healthy caregiving relationship. Videos will be story-based and represent different types of caregiving relationships and challenges encountered.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Provides assistance to someone over the age of 60 with an illness or a disability ("care recipient") who requires personal assistance from another person (e.g., bathing, preparing meals). (Assistance provided with at least 1 activity of daily living and/or at least 2 instrumental activities of daily living.) * Person receiving care from the study participant has a cognitive impairment. This does not have to be diagnosed. * Participant provides at least 8 hours of assistance to the care recipient per week * Participant does not intend to place the care recipient in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility within 3 months of consenting into the study Exclusion Criteria: * Does not read and speak English * Cannot access a computer and internet (needed to complete lessons)

Locations (1)

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in frequency of verbal mistreatment

This scale will measure frequency of verbal mistreatment using a measure based on the Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus et al., 1996), with additional questions from other items (Acierno et al., 2010; Beach et al., 2005; Conrad et al., 2011; Deliema et al., 2012)

Time frame: This measure will be asked immediately before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention is complete. The question asks participants about events in the previous 2 months.

Change in the number of positive aspects of the relationship with the care recipient (Dyadic Relationship Scale)

Participants are asked how much they agree with positive statements about their relationship with the care receiver on a 0 to 3 scale. This item comes from Sebern \& Whitlatch (2007)

Secondary Outcomes

Change in caregiver competence (Caregiving Competence Scale)

We will use the Caregiving Competence Scale developed by Pearlin and colleagues (1990)

Time frame: This measure will be asked immediately before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 3 months after the intervention is complete. The question asks participants about events in the previous 3 months.

Change in perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale)

We will use the Perceived Stress Scale developed by Cohen \& Williamson (1988)

Change in caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Index)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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