Efficacy of an emotion and stress management program based on empowerment theory on family caregivers of stroke survivors

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of an emotion and stress management program based on empowerment theory on family caregivers of stroke survivors. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Linping Campus, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and included 130 family caregivers of stroke survivors from October 2022 to May 2024. The caregivers were given emotion and stress management program based on empowerment theory (Empowerment group, n=65) or given traditional management program (Traditional group, n=65). Caregiver burden inventory (CBI), self-rating depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and the Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) were used for analysis. Results: After intervention, CBI, SDS, SAS, and CPSS in both groups decreased significantly compared to before intervention and were significantly lower in the Empowerment group compared to the Traditional group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with traditional management, emotional and stress management plans based on empowerment theory can reduce caregiving burden, alleviate negative emotions, and improve perceived stress in family caregivers of stroke survivors.