فصلنامه روانشناسی شناختی

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Salehi M, Khodashenas H, Alipour M, Mohammadi S, Hajavi Z, Bigdelou M. A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Resilience Training and Compassion-Focused Therapy on Caregiver Burden and Self-Compassion in Primary Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer's Dementia. CPJ 2025; 13 (3)
URL: http://jcp.khu.ac.ir/article-1-4057-en.html

Due to the progressive and destructive nature of Alzheimer's dementia, caring for affected patients imposes immense psychological and physical strain on primary caregivers, potentially leading to severe caregiver burden and reduced self-compassion. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of resilience training and compassion-focused therapy on caregiver burden and self-compassion levels among primary caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's dementia. A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments involving control groups was employed. The statistical population consisted of primary caregivers of Alzheimer's patients in Tehran who participated during the summer of 2025. Participants were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups (15 individuals per group): the first group underwent a resilience training protocol, the second received compassion-focused therapy, and the third served as a control group receiving no intervention. Research instruments included the Caregiver Burden Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, and questionnaires regarding dementia characteristics. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) via SPSS-26 software. The results indicated that both interventions (resilience training and compassion-focused therapy) significantly reduced caregiver burden and increased self-compassion levels compared to the control group. However, comparative analyses revealed that Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) had more significant effects than resilience training in increasing self-compassion and reducing caregiver burden, with these effects remaining more stable during the follow-up phase. Although both educational approaches are beneficial for improving the psychological well-being of caregivers, CFT proves more effective due to its direct focus on processes such as acceptance, self-kindness, and the reduction of self-criticism. It is recommended that compassion-based protocols be incorporated into support programs and psychological interventions for caregivers of patients with dementia to prevent caregiver burnout and promote mental health.