The Effect of Psychoeducation on Care Burden Applied to Mothers of Children Who Underwent Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in Turkey: A Quasi-Experimental Study

The purpose of this study was to examine at the effect of psychoeducation on the care burden for mothers whose children underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (Allo-BMT). The single group, quasi-experimental study was conducted in a children's BMT unit in the Aegean Region of Turkey. No sampling method was used, and the study sample consisted of 21 mothers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of turning 18 years old, volunteering for study participation, speaking and understanding Turkish, and having a child who had undergone Allo-BMT. The psychoeducation covered the following topics: (i) Allo-BMT and Child Care After Transplantation, (ii) Feelings Concerning the Disease and the Role of Caregiver, (iii) Stress and Anger Management, and (iv) Family-Spousal and Social Relations. The care burden was measured using the Clinically Adapted Zarit Burden Interview (CA-ZBI). Data analysis was performed on SPSS 20.0 software using repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni adjusted post hoc test. After the psychoeducation, a significant difference was found between pretest (26.85 ± 12.9) and posttest (20.42 ± 12.66) care burden of mean scores (P < .05). In addition, a significant difference was found between pretest and follow-up test (20.52 ± 11.49) mean scores of care burden (P < .05). The psychoeducation reduced the care burden experienced by the mothers of the children who underwent Allo-BMT and this positive impact lasted for a month. Nurses, especially consultation liaison psychiatric nurses, can provide similar psychoeducation to caregivers in BMT units, assisting them in protecting their physical and mental health by reducing their care burden.