Caregiver intervention linked to better mental health outcomes

What the study found: The UNICEF Caring for the Caregiver intervention was associated with higher self-efficacy and social support, and lower depression, anxiety, and parenting stress among caregivers across six countries.

Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that the intervention was positively experienced by caregivers and frontline workers and has potential at population level. They also say that controlled and longitudinal studies are needed.

What the researchers tested: The researchers used a non-randomised pragmatic design with community-based sampling in Bhutan, Brazil, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Zambia. They trained frontline workers to deliver a counselling approach and behaviour change intervention through routine home-visiting, and measured caregivers before and after the intervention.

What worked and what didn't: At endline, 682 of 822 caregivers were assessed. Pooled analyses showed increases in self-efficacy and social support, and decreases in depression, anxiety, and parenting stress; higher dose exposure was associated with greater change across outcomes. The majority of caregivers and frontline workers reported positive experiences.

What to keep in mind: This was not a randomised study, and the abstract notes that stronger evidence from controlled and longitudinal studies is still needed.

Key points

• The intervention was associated with higher self-efficacy and social support.
• The intervention was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and parenting stress.
• Higher dose exposure was linked to greater change across outcomes.
• Most caregivers and frontline workers reported positive experiences.
• The study used a non-randomised pre-post design across six countries.