Development and Evaluation of a Group Psychoeducation Program for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Chronic illnesses are long-term and decapitating conditions by definition, and they require adaptation. Some patients have difficulty in coping during the adaptation process, and as a result they have negative well-being. Various intervention programs were developed for chronic illnesses to provide psychosocial support. The aim of the current study was to develop a group psychoeducation program for people with Multiple Sclerosis, which is a chronic nervous system disorder, and to evaluate its effectiveness. Three different groups, consisting of participants diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at least three, at most 30 years ago, were administered a 20-sessionpsychoeducation about stress management, healthy communication, and emotion regulation. Focus group interviews were conducted to evaluate their effectiveness. Content analysis revealed five themes which were learning, social support, transfer to daily life, self-esteem and therapeutic relationship. The themes provided in-depth information to investigate the process of change from the perspective of the group participants. Based on the current results, inferences were made for the development and effectiveness of further similar target groups interventions.

Keywords

• Multiple Sclerosis,psychoeducation,focus group,chronic illness

Multipl Skleroz Hastaları için Geliştirilen Bir Grup Psikoeğitim Programının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Kronik hastalıklar uzun sureli, kısıtlayıcı ve uyum gerektiren durumlardır. Bazı hastalar bu uyum sürecinde hastalıkla baş etmede zorlanır ve bunun sonucunda psikolojik sağlıkları olumsuz yönde etkilenir. Pek çok farklı kronik hastalık için psikososyal destek amaçlı müdahale programları geliştirilmiştir. Bu çalışmanın amacı kronik bir sinir sistemi bozukluğu olan Multipl Skleroz tanısı almış hastalar için geliştirilen bir grup psikoeğitim programının geliştirilme sürecinin ve sonuçlarının değerlendirilmesidir. En az üç en çok 30 yıl önce Multipl Skleroz tanısı almış katılımcılardan oluşan üç ayrı gruba stres yönetimi, iletişim ve duygu düzenleme konularında toplam 20 oturumluk bir psikoeğitim programı uygulanmıştır. Programın sonuçlarını değerlendirmek için program bitiminde her grup için bir odak grubu görüşmesi yapılmıştır. İçerik analizi sonucunda öğrenme, sosyal destek, günlük hayata aktarma, özgüven ve terapi ilişkisi temaları ortaya çıkmıştır. Temalar değişim süreçlerinin katılımcıların bakış açısıyla detaylı olarak incelenmesini sağlamıştır. Bulgulara dayanarak benzer gruplar için geliştirilecek grup destek programlarına ve etkililik çalışmalarına katkıda bulunacak çıkarımlar yapılmıştır.

Keywords

• Multipl Skleroz,psikoeğitim,odak grup,kronik hastalık

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