Family Caregivers of Persons with Bipolar Disorder: Caregiver Demographics and Need and Preference for Intervention

The unpredictability of bipolar disorder is highly distressing for family caregivers, who differ in their needs and preferences for stress-reducing or educational interventions. Applying Ryan and Sawin's model, this study examined associations between caregiver demographics (age, gender, and race) as contextual factors and caregiver needs and preferences for three interventions as process factors within a preliminary descriptive analysis of 306 family caregivers from a randomized clinical trial. Caregiver needs for education about bipolar disorder, biofeedback, and Resourcefulness Training^© were determined by established cut scores on validated measures of bipolar knowledge, heart rate variability, and resourcefulness. Frequencies for need and preference for intervention were compared by caregiver age, gender, and race. Discrepancies between caregiver need and preference for interventions were analyzed. Non-White caregivers showed greater need for education (X²=33.68, p < 0.001). Middle-aged caregivers showed greatest need for biofeedback (X²=19.58, p < 0.001). Need for Resourcefulness Training^© was similar across age, gender, and race. We found 58% needed biofeedback, 34% education, and 18% Resourcefulness Training^©; 46% of those in the preference group chose Resourcefulness Training^©. Further caregiver intervention research should consider the effect of caregiver needs and preferences on their health. The findings support the essentiality of assessing caregiver demographics, needs, and preferences before implementing interventions.