JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Informal caregivers of persons with severe mental disorders encounter many profound difficulties and often lack the necessary support strategies to enable them to cope with their caregiving role.

Objective:

The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe the extent of and type of evidence on the existing strategies for alleviating caregiver burden of informal caregivers of persons with severe mental disorders in developing countries.

Methods:

The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews was followed using the participants, concept, and context framework to guide the search of five databases. Two reviewers independently screened the papers and applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were only included if they outlined interventions and support strategies for alleviating informal caregiver burden in developing countries. Data were synthesised to categorize types of intervention strategies and reported outcomes.

Results:

When the search was completed, 44 papers met the inclusion criteria. The identified intervention strategies include community-based interventions, psychoeducation interventions, support groups, cognitive behavioural therapy, spirituality-based interventions, smart phone-based interventions, mindfulness and empowerment, collaborative interventions, standard care, financial and social support, counselling, occupation-based interventions, policy and legislature, and access to mental health.

Conclusions:

Most of the implemented and recommended intervention strategies were from Asian countries. More evidence is required to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in other developing countries. Clinical Trial: N/A