Development process and qualitative evaluation of a program to promote the mental health of family caregivers.

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate, through a participatory approach, an intervention program to promote the mental health of women caregivers in institutions. Focus groups were first organized to explore sources of stress for daughter and spousal caregivers. Workshops in which caregivers developed the content of a group program were then organized. The aims of the program were to increase empowerment and self-efficacy and to decrease stress and psychological distress of caregivers. Experimentation and qualitative evaluation of the program led to 10 weekly meetings covering the following topics: how to feel good with my relative, how to discuss with staff, how to appraise my experience differently, coping with my relative's losses, how to reorganize my life, and how to identify and ask for social support. This study provides a structured program to support family caregivers and a research method empowering families.