Empowering the Caregiving Experience: A Positive Psychotherapy-Based Psychoeducational Intervention for Caregivers of...

This study aimed to examine the effect of a psychoeducational intervention based on the Positive Psychotherapy Balance Model on balanced living, psychological well-being, and self-efficacy among caregivers of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

This study employed a randomized controlled trial with repeated measures (pretest, posttest, and follow-up). A total of 38 caregivers of patients with colorectal cancer were included. Nineteen caregivers in the intervention group received a structured psychoeducation program consisting of five sessions based on the Positive Psychotherapy Balance Model, while 19 caregivers in the control group received a single-session informational intervention. Data were collected at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at the 3-month follow-up using the balanced living scale, psychological well-being scale, and general self-efficacy scale. Statistical analyses included chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and the Friedman test.

The psychoeducation intervention significantly improved balanced living, psychological well-being, and general self-efficacy among caregivers in the intervention group compared with baseline. However, these improvements were partially attenuated at follow-up, indicating a decline over time.

The findings suggest that a psychoeducational program based on the Positive Psychotherapy Balance Model may be an effective psychiatric nursing intervention for enhancing psychosocial well-being among caregivers of oncology patients. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously considering the study's methodological limitations. To support the sustainability of these outcomes, integrating structured psychoeducation into routine oncology care and follow-up processes, along with periodic booster sessions, may be beneficial.