Development and Evaluation of an Intervention for Caregivers and Relatives of Individuals with Hoarding Disorder.

Research Idea and PurposeThe proposed project addresses the significant burden faced by caregivers of individuals with hoarding disorder (HD), a psychiatric condition that causes severe distress and functional impairment. Despite the high prevalence of HD and its impact on families, support for caregivers remains underdeveloped.

This project aims to develop and refine an online support intervention tailored to the needs of caregivers of individuals with HD.

This planning grant will lay the groundwork for a future full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) by adapting existing interventions, ensuring cultural relevance, and engaging stakeholders in a co-creation process.

This approach builds on current knowledge in caregiver support for mental health conditions but fills a critical gap by focusing specifically on HD.Work Plan, Methods, and Project RealisationThe project will begin with stakeholder involvement, gathering input from caregivers, healthcare professionals, and international experts in HD.

Through co-creation workshops, we will design and adapt the intervention to ensure its feasibility, acceptability, and relevance. The intervention will consist of six online modules delivered over six weeks, followed by a one-month booster session. A pilot study with 12 participants will be conducted at a specialized psychiatric unit to test the intervention.

Data will be collected using self-reported measures of well-being, anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden.

This pilot will provide crucial insights into recruitment strategies, preilminary intervention efficacy, and participant engagement.

The project budget includes costs for personnel, advertising and the use of an Internet platform.Societal Relevance and UtilisationThis research addresses the societal challenge of supporting the mental well-being of caregivers, a group that plays a crucial role in the healthcare system but often receives inadequate support.

In Sweden, caregivers save the public sector substantial costs by providing care, yet they experience significant psychological and social burdens.

By developing a scalable and evidence-based intervention, this project aims to reduce caregiver burden, improve quality of life, and contribute to more fair access to support across the country. The outcomes of this project could also inform international efforts to support caregivers of individuals with HD.