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An Evaluation of a Wellness Guide for Older Carers Living in the Community
Author(s) -
O'Connell Beverly,
Heslop Liza,
Fennessy Helen
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2010.00859.x
Subject(s) - mental health , locus of control , preparedness , anxiety , gerontology , focus group , psychology , scale (ratio) , medicine , nursing , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , physics , marketing , quantum mechanics , political science , law , business
Objective: To assess the usefulness and effectiveness of a wellness guide and to identify whether its use by a group of older “new” carers would make them healthier and knowledgeable of community resources. Design and Sample: Pretest, posttest measures of physical and mental health and a questionnaire with associated focus groups. A purposive sample of 21 older carers who were “new” carers was selected for the study. Measures: Locus of control (LOC), Short Form 12, depression anxiety stress scale, and questionnaire. Results: Participants embraced the wellness guide as an excellent resource. It changed their behavior and improved their health on LOC measures, although changes in physical and mental health were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The wellness guide assisted carers' preparedness for their role and enhanced their sense of personal control over demanding situations.