J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2013 Mar;22(1):1-11.

Effects of a Stress Relief Program on Burden, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Response in Family Members of Patients with Mental Illness

• Chai G
• Nam U
• Byun D

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a stress relief program on burden, anxiety, depression and stress response in family members of patients with mental illness.
METHODS
A quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent comparison group pretest and posttest design was used. Participants were family members of patients with mental illness at a mental health center in C city (15 in the experimental group and 17 in the comparison group). The program was provided for 90-100 minutes/session once a week, for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi2-test and Mann-Whitney U-test.
RESULTS
After a stress relief program, we found statistically significant decreases in burden, depression and stress response for the experimental group. But there was no significant decrease in anxiety.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that stress relief program combining disease education and therapeutic recreation could reduce burden, depression and stress response in family members of patients with mental illness.

Keyword

Burden; Anxiety; Depression; Stress response