Reduction of Anxiety of Family Caregiver of Person with Dementia Through Cognitive Restructuring Technique

Abstract

This study was done in line with three main objectives. Firstly, it was to identify the level of anxiety of the subject before and after cognitive restructuring technique (CRT) intervention. It was followed by the objective to identify the anxiety symptoms of the subject before CRT intervention. The last objective was to identify the effect of the application of CRT on the subject’s anxiety across six points after CRT intervention. This is a mixed method research using single subject research design. The subject has been selected using purposive sampling method. Data was collected using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at three phases which are pre-intervention, intervention (six counseling sessions), and post-intervention to measure the level of anxiety experienced by the subject. The results revealed that there was a significant reduction of level and symptoms of anxiety in the subject. The score 100% of PND, verbatim transcripts and MSE showed strong positive effects of CRT treatment on subject’s anxiety. As a conclusion, CRT is effective in reducing the subject’s level of anxiety related to caregiving of demented person. The outcomes of this study provide the insight that family caregivers of demented persons are vulnerable population for psychological distress and their need for psychosocial support should be enhanced.