Toseland, R.W., Blanchard, C.G., & McCallion, P. (1995). A problem solving intervention for caregivers of cancer patients. Social Science and Medicine, 40, 517–528.
An experienced oncology social worker with a master’s degree in social work led six individual, one-hour counseling sessions. All participants attended at least four sessions. The sessions included three components: support, problem solving, and coping skills.
Regional medical oncology center
The study was a properly designed randomized controlled trial: intervention (n = 38) versus standard available care (n = 40).
For caregivers who reported high levels of burden, the intervention led to a significant improvement in their ability to cope with pressing problems. No main effects of the intervention were found on any outcome variable. For caregivers who reported low marital satisfaction, the intervention led to improvement in physical, role, and social functioning.