Perspective-Taking Interventions for Intergenerational Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Alma Au, Daniel W.L. Lai, Simon Biggs, Sheung Tak Cheng, Irja Haapala-Biggs, Amy Chow, Dolores Gallagher-Thompson

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: The present study examined the effects of perspective-taking (PT) intervention in the context of intergenerational caregiving. Method: Seventy-two adult child caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were randomized into two 8-week interventions: (1) connecting through caregiving (CTC: 37 participants) with intergenerational PT reappraisals and (2) basic skill building (BSB: 35 participants). The CTC intervention focused on PT reappraisals aiming to promote balance between self-care and caring of others: (1) connecting with self through enhancing self-awareness, (2) connecting with the care recipient through empathetic understanding, and (3) connecting with others who can help. Results: As compared to the BSB group, the CTC group reported significantly higher increase in the level of life satisfaction and also greater reductions in depressive symptoms and burden. PT was found to mediate between intervention effects and change in life satisfaction. Discussion: The results provided evidence for the efficacy of the CTC program in enhancing the well-being of AD caregivers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)306-319
Number of pages14
JournalResearch on Social Work Practice
Volume30
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • adult
  • child caregiver
  • empathy
  • generational intelligence
  • relational insight
  • self-awareness

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Perspective-Taking Interventions for Intergenerational Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this