eprintid: 1471413
rev_number: 22
eprint_status: archive
userid: 608
dir: disk0/01/47/14/13
datestamp: 2015-09-28 15:39:53
lastmod: 2021-11-29 00:15:23
status_changed: 2015-09-28 15:39:53
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Yesufu-Udechuku, A
creators_name: Harrison, B
creators_name: Mayo-Wilson, E
creators_name: Young, N
creators_name: Woodhams, P
creators_name: Shiers, D
creators_name: Kuipers, E
creators_name: Kendall, T
title: Interventions to improve the experience of caring for people with severe mental illness: systematic review and meta-analysis
ispublished: pub
divisions: UCL
divisions: B02
divisions: C07
note: This article was published under CC BY-NC-ND licence.
abstract: Background
Informal caregiving is an integral part of the care of people with severe mental illness, but the support needs of those providing such care are not often met.
Aims
To determine whether interventions provided to people caring for those with severe mental illness improve the experience of caring and reduce caregiver burden.
Method
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions delivered by health and social care services to informal carers (i.e. family or friends who provide support to someone with severe mental illness).
Results
Twenty-one RCTs with 1589 carers were included in the review. There was evidence suggesting that the carers’ experience of care was improved at the end of the intervention by psychoeducation (standardised mean difference –1.03, 95% CI –1.69 to –0.36) and support groups (SMD = –1.16, 95% CI –1.96 to –0.36). Psychoeducation had a benefit on psychological distress more than 6 months later (SMD = –1.79, 95% CI –3.01 to –0.56) but not immediately post-intervention. Support interventions had a beneficial effect on psychological distress at the end of the intervention (SMD = –0.99, 95% CI –1.48 to –0.49) as did problem-solving bibliotherapy (SMD = –1.57, 95% CI –1.79 to –1.35); these effects were maintained at follow-up. The quality of the evidence was mainly low and very low. Evidence for combining these interventions and for self-help and self-management was inconclusive.
Conclusions
Carer-focused interventions appear to improve the experience of caring and quality of life and reduce psychological distress of those caring for people with severe mental illness, and these benefits may be gained in first-episode psychosis. Interventions for carers should be considered as part of integrated services for people with severe mental health problems.
date: 2015-04-01
date_type: published
official_url: http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.114.147561
oa_status: green
full_text_type: pub
language: eng
primo: open
primo_central: open_green
verified: verified_manual
elements_id: 1055435
doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.147561
lyricists_name: Mayo-Wilson, Evan
lyricists_id: EMAYO29
actors_name: Mayo-Wilson, Evan
actors_name: Barczynska, Patrycja
actors_id: EMAYO29
actors_id: PBARC91
actors_role: owner
actors_role: impersonator
full_text_status: public
publication: The British Journal of Psychiatry
volume: 206
number: 4
pagerange: 268-274
issn: 0007-1250
citation:        Yesufu-Udechuku, A;    Harrison, B;    Mayo-Wilson, E;    Young, N;    Woodhams, P;    Shiers, D;    Kuipers, E;           Yesufu-Udechuku, A;  Harrison, B;  Mayo-Wilson, E;  Young, N;  Woodhams, P;  Shiers, D;  Kuipers, E;  Kendall, T;   - view fewer <#>    (2015)    Interventions to improve the experience of caring for people with severe mental illness: systematic review and meta-analysis.                   The British Journal of Psychiatry , 206  (4)   pp. 268-274.    10.1192/bjp.bp.114.147561 <https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.114.147561>.       Green open access   
 
document_url: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1471413/1/268.full.pdf