Efectos del entrenamiento en estrategias de regulación emocional en el bienestar de cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer / Effects of training in emotional regulation strategies on the well-being of carers of Alzheimer patients

Introducción. El presente estudio muestra los resultados de una intervención psicoeducativa que pretende dotar de estrategias de regulación de las emociones positivas y negativas con cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer. Material y métodos. En este estudio participaron 52 cuidadores informales de enfermos de Alzheimer. Estos cuidadores se distribuyeron en 2 grupos: grupo experimental (n=20) y grupo control (n=32). Todos fueron evaluados antes y después de la intervención a través de diferentes instrumentos de medida de los estresores, moduladores y consecuencias del cuidado. Resultados. En el contraste intergrupos, el grupo experimental, en comparación con el grupo control, obtuvo puntuaciones más altas en afecto positivo, bienestar subjetivo, regulación emocional y satisfacción con el cuidado, y valores inferiores en estrés percibido y afecto negativo. En el contraste intragrupos, los sujetos del grupo experimental registraron, inmediatamente tras la intervención, descensos significativos en las puntuaciones relativas a los pensamientos disfuncionales y la atención emocional. En los sujetos del grupo control se registra una mayor puntuación en apoyo psicosocial y un descenso en la satisfacción con el cuidado. Conclusiones. El programa desarrollado ha contribuido a que sus participantes experimenten un mayor bienestar emocional, atiendan a sus emociones de modo más adecuado y sufran menos pensamientos disfuncionales en relación con el cuidado. Estudios posteriores deberán confirmar establecer la estabilidad de los cambios registrados, dado el carácter progresivo del aprendizaje de las habilidades entrenadas y las cambiantes necesidades asociadas al cuidado(AU)

Introduction. The present research shows the results of a psychoeducational intervention programme centered on the regulation of the emotion among Alzheimer patients’ caregivers. Materials and methods. 52 informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients participated. These caregivers were distributed into two groups: the experimental group (n=20) and the control group (n=32). All the participants were evaluated before and after the intervention programme through the application of different measurement tools measuring variables related to the care giving process; stressors, modulation variables and care giving consequences. Results. In the inter group contrast, the experimental group, when compared with the control condition, obtained higher scores in positive affect, subjective well-being, regulation of emotions, and satisfaction with caregiving. However, the experimental group recorded lower values in perceived stress and negative affect. With reference to the intragroup contrast, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in dysfunctional thoughts and emotional attention. The control group registered higher levels of psychosocial support and lower satisfaction with caregiving. Conclusions. The training programme, that we both developed and conducted, has contributed to a greater feeling of emotional well-being amongst the its participant caregivers, who now take more adequate care of their emotions and suffer fewer dysfunctional thoughts in relation to caregiving. In future studies, the stability of the results presented in this investigation should be established due to the progressive character of the skills learned during the programme, and the changing needs associated with the caregiving process(AU)

[Effects of training in emotional regulation strategies on the well-being of carers of Alzheimer patients]. / Efectos del entrenamiento en estrategias de regulación emocional en el bienestar de cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer.

INTRODUCTION: The present research shows the results of a psychoeducational intervention programme centered on the regulation of the emotion among Alzheimer patients' caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients participated. These caregivers were distributed into two groups: the experimental group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 32). All the participants were evaluated before and after the intervention programme through the application of different measurement tools measuring variables related to the care giving process; stressors, modulation variables and care giving consequences. RESULTS: In the inter group contrast, the experimental group, when compared with the control condition, obtained higher scores in positive affect, subjective well-being, regulation of emotions, and satisfaction with caregiving. However, the experimental group recorded lower values in perceived stress and negative affect. With reference to the intragroup contrast, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in dysfunctional thoughts and emotional attention. The control group registered higher levels of psychosocial support and lower satisfaction with caregiving. CONCLUSIONS: The training programme, that we both developed and conducted, has contributed to a greater feeling of emotional well-being amongst the its participant caregivers, who now take more adequate care of their emotions and suffer fewer dysfunctional thoughts in relation to caregiving. In future studies, the stability of the results presented in this investigation should be established due to the progressive character of the skills learned during the programme, and the changing needs associated with the caregiving process.