Pilot study of a psychotherapeutic intervention for reducing guilt feelings in highly distressed dementia family caregivers (Innovative practice)

• Published in: Dementia (London, England) Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 759 - 769
• Main Authors: Gallego-Alberto, Laura, Márquez-González, María, Romero-Moreno, Rosa, Cabrera, Isabel, Losada, Andrés
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2021
• Subjects: guilt; dementia; acceptance and commitment therapy; caregiver; self-compassion
• ISSN: 1471-3012; 1741-2684
• DOI: 10.1177/1471301219886761

Many caregivers of people with dementia experience guilt but few interventions have been designed to help them with these feelings. This study aimed to describe a psychological intervention specifically developed for decreasing caregivers´ guilt. The sample was composed of four caregivers, individually interviewed before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted of eight group-based sessions and was based on cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and self-compassion techniques. Three participants reported clinically reliable change in guilt. Clinically significant changes were also observed in their levels of anxiety and depression. The results suggest that carers might benefit from interventions designed to reduce their feelings of guilt.