Supporting caregivers of children with developmental disabilities: Findings from a brief caregiver well-being programme in South Africa

Caring for children with developmental delays or disabilities places significant stress on caregivers, which is often exacerbated in low-resource settings. The World Health Organization developed a caregiver skills training for families of children with developmental delays or disabilities, which includes a three-session caregiver well-being module based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, that aims to help caregivers build psychological flexibility (i.e. the ability to focus on the present moment, make space for difficult thoughts and emotions and commit to value-driven actions that enrich their lives). We investigated whether this brief caregiver well-being programme was feasible, acceptable and contributed to positive outcomes for caregivers in a rural South African town. We adapted the intervention to the local context using a participatory approach. The ‘Well-Beans for Caregivers’ adaptation of the World Health Organization Caregiver Skills Training Caregiver Wellbeing module was then delivered by trained facilitators to a group of 10 caregivers in three weekly, 2-h sessions. Most caregivers were single and unemployed. Feedback from the facilitators, caregivers and trainee observers was obtained before, during and after the programme. Results suggested that this brief programme shows promise as a feasible and acceptable intervention, which may lead to improved caregiver well-being and mental health in communities in South Africa. Lay abstract Young children with developmental disabilities and delays who live in low- and middle-income countries are at significant risk of not reaching their full potential. We know that daily interactions with their caregivers (parents or other people taking care of them) play an important role in promoting their development. However, having a child with developmental disabilities can have a negative impact on carers’ mental health and well-being, which in turn can influence their capacity to care for their children. To date, very little attention has been given to the caregivers’ capacity to care. The World Health Organization developed a Caregiver Skills Training programme which includes a brief, three-session module that focuses on improving caregivers’ well-being and mental health. This well-being programme is based on acceptance and commitment therapy. Acceptance and commitment therapy shows increasing evidence of helping people respond to their stressors, thoughts, feelings and experiences a little differently and commit to small changes that are in line with their personal values. Acceptance and commitment therapy has shown promise in improving feelings of well-being in caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. We adapted the World Health Organization Caregiver Skills Training Caregiver well-being module to suit the South African context. The resultant ‘Well Beans for Caregivers’ was then delivered to caregivers from a rural, low-resource setting in South Africa. We found the intervention easy to implement, highly acceptable to caregivers and showed promising impacts on caregivers’ well-being and mental health. This intervention has the potential to be implemented widely and sustainably to build caregivers’ capacity to care for their children.