Caring for Caregivers (C4C).

This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of a self-directed writing therapy called Positive Written Disclosure for Older Adult Caregivers of people experiencing Psychosis.

Trial Registration: ISRCTN79116352. Registered on 23/01/2017. See http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN79116352

Background: This is little support available to carers via the healthcare system.  Support groups can be of great benefit – but it can sometimes be difficult to find the time to attend (due to the demands of being a carer).  To address this, we are carrying out a study that will trial a new self-directed, writing therapy called Positive Written Disclosure (PWD).  PWD can be completed at a time and place that is convenient to the carer.  It is hoped that this intervention will improve wellbeing.

Who can take part?

To take part people must be:

    Aged 50 or over

     A caregiver

     Their care recipient must experience psychosis i.e. a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, delusional disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified, bipolar, or depression with psychotic features

    Able to read, write and communicate in English

     Not be currently receiving psychological therapy or have confirmed plans to begin therapy

We plan to recruit 60 people whom meet this criteria.

What does the study involve?

People who decide to take part will be randomly allocated to one of three conditions within the study:

1) Positive Written Disclosure = this group will be asked to write about a positive experience or memory for 20 minutes a day for 3 consecutive days

2) Writing Control task = this group will be asked to write descriptively about a neutral image for 20 minutes a day for 3 consecutive days

3) No Writing Control = we will not ask this group to do any writing tasks.

We will ask people to complete some questionnaires at the start of the study (before they are allocated to a group) and then 1, 3 and 6 months later. These questionnaires will measure a range of constructs, including stress, wellbeing, self-efficacy, and physical health.

Participants who are allocated to complete a writing task will also be invited to take part in a 1:1 interview to discuss their experience of the study. 

The writing tasks, questionnaires and interviews can all be completed in participants’ homes. 

Recruitment is now open for this study.  We are accepting both clinician- and self-referrals.

For more information please take a look at the study Participant Information Sheet (PIS) and/or contact:

Cassie Hazell (Research Fellow)

Email: C.Hazell@bsms.ac.uk

Alternate Email: C.Hazell@nhs.net

Phone: 07738 758272