BRIGHT IDEAS PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS TRAINING FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE: A TWO-SITE PILOT FEASIBILITY TRIAL

Bright IDEAS Problem-Solving Skills Training (BI) is an evidence-based behavioral intervention that has been utilized extensively with caregivers of children recently diagnosed with cancer. Considerable evidence has shown that BI is acceptable to caregivers and improvements in problem-solving skills mediate reduced symptoms of distress; and it is most effective with single, minority caregivers. A slightly modified version of BI was offered to caregivers of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in a two-site pilot feasibility trial. BI was modified to reduce barriers to care, logistical challenges, and stigma associated with receiving behavioral health services. Our goal was to establish high rates of recruitment and retention amongst caregivers of children with SCD. Recruitment was acceptable (94%; N = 72) and retention reasonable (48.6%) across both sites with 35 caregivers successfully completing the BI program. Results showed that caregivers of children with SCD, who successfully completed the BI program reported, significant improvements in problem-solving skills immediately and three months post-intervention completion. Interestingly, initial levels of distress were low with few caregivers reporting clinically significant levels of distress; distress remained low over time. Findings are discussed in the context of psychosocial screening and assumptions regarding caregivers of children with SCD.