The Effects of Eclectic Group Counseling Program on Stress coping ability of Caregiver in non - communicated disease in Community Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

Abstract

            This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effects of an eclectic group counseling program on the stress coping ability of caregivers of older adults with chronic non-communicable diseases in a community in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The sample comprised 52 caregivers, who were assigned to an experimental group (n = 26) and a control group (n = 26). The experimental group participated in an eclectic group counseling program developed based on Corey’s counseling approach, while the control group received usual care. Research instruments included the eclectic group counseling program, the Suan Prung Stress Test-20 (SPST-20), and a stress coping ability questionnaire. The counseling program and questionnaire were reviewed by five experts, yielding a content validity index (CVI) of 1.00. The stress coping ability questionnaire demonstrated acceptable reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.84. Data were collected from November 1, 2025, to January 20, 2026, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and independent t-test.

The results revealed that, after participating in the program, the experimental group had significantly higher stress coping ability scores than before the intervention (Mean = 4.27 and 2.73, respectively; t = -5.67, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher stress coping ability than the control group (Mean = 4.27 and 3.01, respectively; t = -7.57, p < 0.05).

These findings suggest that the eclectic group counseling program is effective in enhancing stress coping ability among caregivers of older adults with chronic non-communicable diseases. The program may be applied as a mental health promotion strategy to strengthen caregivers’ coping capacity and improve their quality of life in community settings.