Aim of the study: A newly developed group intervention programme was evaluated with regard to its effectiveness to decrease the burnout symptoms of the partners of depressed patients.
Methods: Within a period of six months, a group of 66 persons has taken part in the intervention for a total of twelve group sessions. A control group consisted of 50 persons without any intervention. Burnout was assessed using the German version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). To evaluate the time effect, the burnout dimensions were used as independent variables in random effects models.
Results: Over the analyzed period of time no significant positive effect was measured on any of the assessed burnout dimensions.
Conclusions: An increased inclusion of depressed patients in the intervention as well as an increased intensity and a lowering of the admission threshold for the heavily burdened relatives could increase the effectiveness of the program.