- Parkinson's disease caregivers experience significant emotional, physical, and social burden with limited healthcare support, contributing to poor health outcomes.
- A student-led virtual support group was feasible and acceptable, assessed via participation metrics and surveys of loneliness, self-care, satisfaction, and perceived benefit.
- Caregivers reported satisfaction and perceived benefit; students gained empathy, active listening skills and confidence in group facilitation, supporting psychiatric nursing training.
J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2026 Jul 17:1-7. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20260710-04. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Parkinson’s disease (PD) caregivers face significant emotional, physical, and social challenges that result in poor health outcomes. Despite their critical role, caregivers receive limited support from health care systems. The current study explored the feasibility and acceptability of a student-led virtual support group for PD caregivers.
METHOD: The goal of the support group was to provide a safe space for peer connection, emotional processing, and health education. Feasibility was assessed through participation metrics alongside program surveys measuring loneliness, self-care engagement, satisfaction, and student learning.
RESULTS: Results indicated that caregivers reported moderate levels of loneliness and inconsistent self-care but expressed satisfaction and perceived benefit from the group. Students reported gains in empathy, active listening, and confidence in group facilitation. This model provided meaningful caregiver support and valuable experiential student learning.
CONCLUSION: Findings offer a delivery model to address the unmet mental health needs of caregivers and psychiatric-mental health nurse training.
PMID:42461158 | DOI:10.3928/02793695-20260710-04
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