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A web-based support group for Iranian informal caregivers of older adults
15th World Congress on DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
November 21, 2022 | Webinar
Rahimi F
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Scientific Tracks Abstracts : J Clin Psychiatry Cog Psychol
Abstract:
Background: Iran's elderly population is expected to grow by 10.5% in 2025, indicating an increase in the number of longterm dependent people. In recent years, the mental burden of caregiving has been increasing due to the reduction in household size and the increase in women's jobs. Access to web-based support groups allows informal caregivers to afford peer and professional support in addition to their multiple daily responsibilities. Methods: Our study is a two-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 160 informal caregivers were recruited from the southern area of Tehran. Eligible participants were randomly allocated to two intervention and control groups. We are in the middle of the intervention phase. The intervention is in the form of using the Mehrpishegan site. The intervention group can use the Mehrpishegan site's facilities, including educational content for caregivers to care for the elderly and manage their mental health, as well as asynchronous and online chatrooms during the six months period. They interact with each other in an online group once a week, guided by a psychologist and a health educator. They are encouraged to share information, concerns, feelings, experiences, and possible solutions. The participants receive exercises according to the topics of each session and can ask questions about the exercises too. The control group cannot use facilities. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the DASS- 21 questionnaire at baseline and will be repeated at the end. Discussion: There is no comprehensive national system in Iran to record the information of informal caregivers. Services for caregivers, such as support groups, are now dispersed and face-to-face. We hope that our findings can provide an opportunity to address the needs of caregivers and improve their mental health through the provision of webbased support services. References 1. Rahimi, F., Shakibazadeh, E., Ashoorkhani, M. et al. Effect of “Mehrpishegan” web-based support group on depression, anxiety, and stress among elderly informal caregivers: a protocol for a randomized-controlled trial. Trials 23, 413 (2022). 2. Zahra Hazrati-Meimaneh, “Impact of personality traits on medication adherence and self-care in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The moderating role of gender and age,” Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Volume 136, 2020, 110178, ISSN 0022-3999 3. Rahimi F, “Presence in virtual social networks and health promoting behaviors of medical students,” Journal of Public Health, 1-79 2020
Biography:
Rahimi F is a PhD Candidate in Health Education and Promotion at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She is young researcher interested in researching health issues, and designing, implementing and evaluating health education programs, especially self-care, healthy lifestyle, virtual social networks, and self-help groups. So far, she has authored and translated 5 books in the Persian language related to her major. She has been active in organizing health education campaigns such as antibiotic resistance prevention, national no-smoking week, and risk assessment of non-communicable diseases. She is currently writing a doctoral thesis on the effect of web-based support groups on the mental health of elderly family caregivers.
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