The purpose of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness of a poetry writing intervention on outcome variables self-transcendence, resilience, depressive symptoms, and subjective burden in family caregivers of older adults with dementia. The theoretical framework synthesized theories of Adler, Frankl, and Reed's Theory of Self-Transcendence. Research questions were: 1) Are there differences on self-transcendence, resilience, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden between family caregivers of older adults with dementia who write poetry (Group A) and family caregivers not writing poetry (Group B) from Time 1 to Time 2; 2) Are higher positive psychological resources (self-transcendence and resilience) associated with lower negative psychological outcomes (depressive symptoms and caregiver burden) over time with continued poetry writing?; 3) Will there be improvements on psychological resources and negative outcomes in both groups from before writing poetry to after writing poetry?; 4) What common themes emerge from the poetry written by family caregivers? 5) Will caregivers (Group A) who participate in poetry writing continue to write or verbalize intent to write poetry after they are no longer required to do so?; 6) What is the feasibility of conducting a larger clinical trial?
Methodology was a mixed methods, longitudinal, crossover design. Participants (n=20) were drawn from a convenience sample of dementia caregivers in the Midwest. Instruments were administered to all participants at baseline (Time 1). Participants were then randomized to one of two intervention groups. Group A was first asked to write and share with the PI at least three poems written over a four week period. Instruments were administered again to all subjects (Time 2). Next, participants in Group B were asked to write poetry for four weeks. Then, all subjects were asked to complete study instruments (Time 3). Participants in Group A were asked whether they continued to write poetry after the 4-week writing time was over. Participants were interviewed about their poetry writing experiences. Data analysis involved examination of descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of poem content. Feasibility of a larger clinical trial was assessed. Implications were that poetry writing can be a valuable nursing intervention to support dementia family caregivers.