Premium
Implementation and feasibility considerations of an avatar‐based intervention for military family caregivers
Author(s) -
Wilcox Sherrie L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22881
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , psychology , anxiety , quality of life (healthcare) , population , clinical psychology , scale (ratio) , depression (economics) , avatar , applied psychology , medicine , psychiatry , psychotherapist , computer science , physics , environmental health , quantum mechanics , human–computer interaction , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Military family caregivers (MFCGs) are a growing population with well‐being and quality of life (QOL) challenges. New technologies can help meet their needs while minimizing disruption to caregiving responsibilities. Preliminary research needs to address intervention implementation challenges before larger‐scale efficacy studies are conducted. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing an avatar‐based intervention and preliminarily investigate outcomes. Methods One‐hundred twenty‐four MFCGs were recruited to participate in this feasibility study. Sixty‐four MFCGs completed the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated‐measures analysis of variance to assess 3‐ and 6‐month differences. Results Meeting the a priori goal of 50 MFCGs completing the program supported feasibility. Preliminary results indicated significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms, and significant improvements in physical health and overall QOL. Conclusions Findings support for the feasibility of implementing an avatar‐based intervention for MFCGs and present promising findings related to improving caregiver well‐being and overall QOL.