The Impact of a Web-based Intervention on Young Informal Carers of People with Mental Illness
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Abstract
Background
Young adults often take responsibility and offer care and support for significant others who suffer from mental illness. This adoption of responsibility has consequences not only for the mentally ill, but also for the carer. As the internet becomes increasingly fundamental to young adults in their daily lives, web-based interventions may be effective in supporting those caring for a person with mental illness. Our objective is to analyze (according to stress, burden, quality of life, and self-efficacy) the impact of a web-based intervention (information, education, and support) for young adults supporting persons with mental illness.
Methods
The study design was prospective and randomized. The sample consisted of young informal carers (N = 241; 16–25 y), where n = 120 completed structured questionnaires at baseline and at 8 months and were allocated to web-based support respectively brochure support regarding available support in the society for young adults.
Results
The collected data is currently being analyzed. Data will be presented and discussed according to the Perceived Stress Scale, the COPE index negative impact scale, quality of life measured by the EQ5D, and self-efficacy measured by the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale.
Conclusions
It is very important to measure the stress and burden of young informal carers of persons with mental illness in order to understand their handling of such responsibilities and their abilities to access support.
Young adults often take responsibility and offer care and support for significant others who suffer from mental illness. This adoption of responsibility has consequences not only for the mentally ill, but also for the carer. As the internet becomes increasingly fundamental to young adults in their daily lives, web-based interventions may be effective in supporting those caring for a person with mental illness. Our objective is to analyze (according to stress, burden, quality of life, and self-efficacy) the impact of a web-based intervention (information, education, and support) for young adults supporting persons with mental illness.
Methods
The study design was prospective and randomized. The sample consisted of young informal carers (N = 241; 16–25 y), where n = 120 completed structured questionnaires at baseline and at 8 months and were allocated to web-based support respectively brochure support regarding available support in the society for young adults.
Results
The collected data is currently being analyzed. Data will be presented and discussed according to the Perceived Stress Scale, the COPE index negative impact scale, quality of life measured by the EQ5D, and self-efficacy measured by the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale.
Conclusions
It is very important to measure the stress and burden of young informal carers of persons with mental illness in order to understand their handling of such responsibilities and their abilities to access support.
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