FoStering psychosOcial weLlbeing of Family Caregivers of Stroke surVivors Using Emotion-centered, Problem-solving Approach (SoLVE): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability globally. Stroke survivors generally require lifelong support from family caregivers. The abrupt onset of stroke and associated physical and cognitive impairments result in a series of complex and demanding interactions between family caregivers and stroke survivors. More than 40% of stroke caregivers develop depressive symptoms over time. The depression of family caregivers negatively impacts their physical health and caregiving role and directly affects the mental health and recovery of stroke survivors. Thus, effective strategies for stressful caregiving situations are urgently needed.

As postulated in the relational/problem solving model of stress, problem-solving coping is a cognitive behavioral process that can enhance caregivers' well-being by changing caregiving situations and/or changing their negative emotional stress responses to stressful situations into positive responses. In view of the influence of negative emotions on the cognitive process of an individual, integrating perspective taking as a cognitive reappraisal strategy into the training of problem-solving coping skills may potentially improve the psychosocial well-being of family caregivers.

This mixed method study aims (1) to examine the effects of a emotion-centered problem-solving intervention on the depressive symptoms, problem-solving coping, emotion regulation, caregiving competence, and health-related quality of life of stroke caregivers and on the physical functioning of stroke survivors; (2) to explore the mediating effect of emotion regulation and problem solving coping on caregivers' depressive symptoms, caregiving competence, and health-related quality of life and on stroke survivors' physical functioning; and (3) to understand how intervention influences depressive symptoms from a family caregiver's perspective. A total of 178 family caregivers will be recruited from various non-government organizations and nurse clinics for stroke patients of the Hospital Authority. Participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). Caregivers in the IG will receive an emotion-centered problem-solving intervention adopting a "shared problem, shared action plan" approach, whereas the caregivers in the CG will receive stroke-related education. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 12 and 36 weeks after study entry.

This study makes the first attempt to develop an emotion-centered problem-solving intervention and examine its effectiveness in the context of stroke caregiving. The findings will advance our understanding of emotional regulation and problem-solving coping strategies for reducing the depressive symptoms of stroke caregivers, ultimately providing a culturally sensitive medical-social service direction for the delivery of community-based rehabilitation services to stroke families.