This quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a six-week, nurse-led structured coping psychoeducation program for family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care. The study will examine the effects of the intervention on caregiver burden, coping strategies, and burnout using pre- and post-intervention assessments.
Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led coping psychoeducation program on caregiver burden, coping strategies, and burnout among family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care. Study Design: This study uses a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with an intervention group and a control group. Intervention: Participants assigned to the intervention group (n = 20) will receive a six-week, nurse-led psychoeducation program consisting of 12 structured sessions designed to improve stress management and coping skills. Participants in the control group will receive routine care during the study period. Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes include caregiver burden, coping strategies, and burnout. Data will be collected before and after the intervention using the Caregiver Information Form, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS). Statistical Analysis: Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 and Python 3. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participant characteristics. Between-group and within-group comparisons will be conducted using appropriate parametric or nonparametric statistical tests. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) will be used to adjust for baseline differences, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) will be applied to evaluate changes over time. Statistical significance will be determined at a two-sided p value of \<0.05.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
A nurse-led structured coping psychoeducation program was delivered to family caregivers of palliative care patients over 6 weeks. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions, including an introductory meeting and weekly psychoeducation sessions focusing on palliative care, the caregiving role, stress and burnout, coping strategies, emotional regulation, relaxation techniques, self-care, communication, social support, problem-solving, resilience, and program evaluation. Sessions lasted approximately 40-60 minutes and were conducted in small groups using lectures, discussions, role-playing, case-based learning, practical exercises, and feedback. All participants in the intervention group also continued to receive routine palliative care services.
Family caregivers received the routine care and education provided by the palliative care unit. No structured coping psychoeducation program was delivered during the study period.
Kastamonu Unıversıty
Kastamonu, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)
Caregiving burden will be assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The ZBI is a validated self-report instrument that evaluates the perceived burden experienced by family caregivers. Higher scores indicate greater caregiving burden.
Baseline (before the intervention) and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention
Coping Strategies
Coping strategies will be assessed using the Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS). The scale evaluates adaptive coping (self-confident, optimistic, and social support-seeking approaches) and maladaptive coping (helpless and submissive approaches). Higher scores on adaptive coping and lower scores on maladaptive coping indicate improved coping strategies.
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention
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