WECARE: A Behavioral Intervention for Dementia Caregivers

The baseline and follow-up differences in depressive symptoms will be assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The CES-D is a 20-item survey instrument designed to measure the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms. The total score is calculated by summing the responses to all 20 items. The total scale ranges from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms (a worse outcome). The primary analysis will calculate the difference in this total score between baseline and follow-up. adults and dementia caregivers.

The baseline and follow-up differences in caregiving burden will be assessed using the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12). The ZBI-12 is designed to measure the subjective physical, psychological, and social burden experienced by caregivers. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale from "never" (0) to "nearly always" (4), The total score is calculated by summing the responses to all 12 items. The total scale ranges from 0 to 48, with higher scores indicating greater caregiving burden (a worse outcome). The primary analysis will calculate the difference in this total score between baseline and follow-up.

The baseline and follow-up differences in life satisfaction will be assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The SWLS is a 5-item survey instrument designed to measure a person's global cognitive judgments of satisfaction with their life. The total score is calculated by summing the responses to all 5 items. The total scale ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater life satisfaction (a better outcome). The primary analysis will calculate the difference in this total score between baseline and follow-up.

The baseline and follow-up differences in caregiving mastery will be assessed using the Caregiving Mastery Scale. This 7-item survey instrument is designed to measure a caregiver's self-perception of their ability to effectively manage caregiving tasks and challenges. The total score is calculated by summing the responses to all 7 items. The total scale ranges from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater caregiving mastery (a better outcome). The primary analysis will calculate the difference in this total score between baseline and follow-up.

The baseline and follow-up differences in care-recipient problem behaviors will be assessed using the Revised Memory and Problem Behavior Checklist (RMBPC). The RMBPC is a 24-item survey instrument designed to measure observable behavioral problems in care recipients across three subdomains: memory-related issues, depressive behaviors, and disruptive behaviors. The total score is calculated by summing the Yes (1) or No (0) responses to all 24 items. The total scale ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating a higher frequency of problem behaviors (a worse outcome). The primary analysis will calculate the difference in this total score between baseline and follow-up.

The baseline and follow-up differences in caregivers' positive aspects of caregiving will be measured by Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale, a 9-item scale 5-point Likert scale from 0 to 4, with total scores ranging from 0 to 36, with higher score indicating more positive perception of caregiving. The baseline and follow-up differences in the scores will be calculated.