Nurse-Led Psychoeducation for Caregivers Receiving Home Health Care (N-PRO CARE)

The Effect of a Nurse-Led Psychoeducation Programme for Caregivers of Patients Receiving Home Health Care on Self-Efficacy and Psychological Resilience: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the effect of a nurse-led psychoeducation programme on self-efficacy and psychological resilience among caregivers of patients receiving home health care. Caregivers were randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving a structured psychoeducation programme or a control group receiving usual care. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and one week after completion of the intervention using validated measurement tools.

Caregivers of patients receiving home health care often face physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges that may negatively affect their well-being and caregiving capacity. Strengthening caregivers' psychological resources, such as self-efficacy and psychological resilience, is essential for improving both caregiver outcomes and the quality of care provided to patients.

This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, nurse-led psychoeducation programme delivered to caregivers of patients receiving home health care. A total of 42 caregivers were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received a six-week psychoeducation programme consisting of weekly individual sessions lasting approximately 45 minutes, delivered in the home setting. The programme included education on caregiving skills, infection control, nutrition and mobilization, pressure injury prevention, urinary catheter care, as well as strategies to enhance self-efficacy and psychological resilience.

The control group received routine home health care services without additional psychoeducation. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Adult Psychological Resilience Scale at baseline and one week after completion of the intervention. The primary outcomes of the study were changes in caregivers' self-efficacy and psychological resilience levels following the psychoeducation programme.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Providing care to a patient receiving home health care for at least two months
• Able to read and write
• No communication barriers
• Actively receiving home health care services for the patient
• No diagnosed psychiatric disorder
• Informal caregiver (not a formal caregiver such as a paid caregiver or nurse)
• Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Formal caregivers (e.g., paid caregivers, nurses)
• Individuals with communication impairments
• Caregivers who did not meet the inclusion criteria
• Withdrawal from the study during the intervention period