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Brief Psychological Intervention Through Mobile App and Conference Calls for the Prevention of Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers: A Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia Otero

    (Department of Psychology, University of A Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Isabel Hita

    (Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

  • Ángela J. Torres

    (Department of Psychiatry, Radiology and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

  • Fernando L. Vázquez

    (Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Abstract

Despite its potential, no intervention aimed at non-professional caregivers administered through a smartphone app has been proven to prevent depression. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of an indicated depression-prevention intervention for non-professional caregivers administered through an app with the addition of conference-call contact. The intervention was administered to 31 caregivers (Mean age = 54.0 years, 93.5% women). An independent evaluation determined the incidence of depression, depressive symptoms, risk of developing depression, and the variables in the theoretical model (positive environmental reinforcement, negative automatic thoughts) at the pre-intervention and post-intervention, as well as the one- and three-month follow-ups. The incidence of depression at 3 months of follow-up was 6.5%. There was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms ( p < 0.001) and in the risk of developing depression ( p < 0.001) at the post-intervention and at the one- and three-month follow-ups. The model’s variables improved significantly after the intervention and were associated with post-intervention depressive symptoms. The intervention was more effective in caregivers who had a lower level of depressive symptoms at the pre-intervention. Adherence and satisfaction with the intervention were high. The results encourage future research using a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Otero & Isabel Hita & Ángela J. Torres & Fernando L. Vázquez, 2020. "Brief Psychological Intervention Through Mobile App and Conference Calls for the Prevention of Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:12:p:4578-:d:376368
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fernando L. Vázquez & Patricia Otero & Miguel A. Simón & Ana M. Bueno & Vanessa Blanco, 2019. "Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Fernando L. Vázquez & Lara López & Ángela J. Torres & Patricia Otero & Vanessa Blanco & Olga Díaz & Mario Páramo, 2020. "Analysis of the Components of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for the prevention of Depression Administered via Conference Call to Nonprofessional Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-18, March.
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    6. Juana Perpiñá-Galvañ & Núria Orts-Beneito & Manuel Fernández-Alcántara & Sofía García-Sanjuán & María Paz García-Caro & María José Cabañero-Martínez, 2019. "Level of Burden and Health-Related Quality of Life in Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-13, November.
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    2. Ana Fonseca & Jorge Osma, 2021. "Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-5, January.

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