Effects of psychosocial interventions on self-efficacy of dementia caregivers: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Self-efficacy plays an important role in mediating stressors and physical and psychological outcomes in dementia caregiving.

Objectives: This literature review aims to identify, summarize, and critically appraise current evidence on the psychosocial interventions used for enhancing the self-efficacy of caregivers of patients with dementia (PWD).

Methods: A database search from two major web gateways was conducted to identify relevant research articles with an intervention for caregivers of patients with any type of dementia that included self-efficacy as an outcome measure.

Results: A total of 14 studies met the criteria. The key findings and characteristics of the interventions were summarized and analyzed. The results showed that caregivers' self-efficacy and other aspects could be improved by psychosocial interventions.

Conclusion: The efficacy of the interventions for self-efficacy and other outcomes for caregivers and PWD were explored. Recommendations on the effects and significance of various psychosocial interventions for caregivers of PWD in enhancing self-efficacy were discussed.

Keywords: caregiver; dementia; psychosocial intervention; self-efficacy.