Impact of a Psychoeducation on Caregiver Burden, Internalized Stigma, Anxiety, and Coping in Caregivers of Children With Epilepsy: a Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

This pilot randomized trial examined the effects of a psychoeducational intervention on caregiving burden, anxiety, internalized stigma, and coping strategies among caregivers of children with epilepsy. Using a randomized design, 54 caregivers were assigned to either an experimental (n = 28) or control (n = 26) group. The 6-week intervention included psychoeducation, emotional support, and stress-management techniques aimed at enhancing caregivers' psychological well-being. Results showed significant reductions in caregiving burden (p = 0.000), internalized stigma (p = 0.000), and anxiety (p = 0.000) in the experimental group, while the control group showed no significant changes. Caregivers in the experimental group also adopted more adaptive coping strategies, including increased self-confidence (p = 0.000) and optimistic approaches (p = 0.001), greater reliance on social support (p = 0.001), and decreased use of helpless (p = 0.000) and submissive coping styles (p = 0.000). These findings demonstrate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of psychoeducational interventions for improving caregiver well-being and suggest the need for a future large-scale definitive trial to confirm these effects.