PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a stress relief program on burden, anxiety, depression and stress response in family members of patients with mental illness. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent comparison group pretest and posttest design was used. Participants were family members of patients with mental illness at a mental health center in C city (15 in the experimental group and 17 in the comparison group). The program was provided for 90-100 minutes/session once a week, for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi2-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: After a stress relief program, we found statistically significant decreases in burden, depression and stress response for the experimental group. But there was no significant decrease in anxiety. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that stress relief program combining disease education and therapeutic recreation could reduce burden, depression and stress response in family members of patients with mental illness.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Recreation