EFFECTS OF PSYCHOEDUCATION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND BURDEN OF CARE AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN UCH, IBADAN

Abstract

Background: The role of caregivers of Children with ASD comes with an enormous burden that may impact negatively on their psychological, psychosocial and economic wellbeing. This study therefore seeks to assess the effects of psychoeducation on psychological distress and burden of care among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders in a tertiary healthcare facility in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 16 caregivers of children with ASD were recruited for this study from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan and thereafter underwent a three weeks of psychoeducation based on a structured treatment module. The outcome measures; psychological distress (measured with the General Health Questionnaire – GHQ), Burden (measured with Zarit Burden Instrument), and Knowledge of management of challenging behaviour), were administered at baseline, immediately after the last intervention session and 3 weeks after the last intervention. A client satisfaction questionnaire was administered separately immediately after the last intervention session. Results: The mean age of 42.53 + 8.53 years and majority of the children were males (81.8%), presently enrolled in primary school (69.2%). Repeated measure ANOVA analysis showed that the training intervention resulted in a statistically significant increase in the mean Knowledge on Challenging Behaviour Management score from baseline to immediate post intervention and a further improvement by 3 weeks post intervention. There was a significant reduction in the mean burden scores from baseline to immediate post intervention but this was not sustained by 3 weeks post intervention. A surprising increase in GHQ scores was observed from baseline to immediate post-intervention which was still elevated at the time of the second post intervention assessmentConclusions: The result showed that a brief 3 session psychoeducation intervention can significantly improve caregivers’ knowledge of management of challenging behaviours in children with autism. However, the beneficial effect on burden was transient. However, there appeared to have been an apparent increase the caregivers’ psychological distress. Further larger and longer studies with control groups are required to further evaluate the findings of the current study