Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in The Treatment of Depression Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Caregivers play a crucial role in assisting and supporting cancer patients. However, they often face a substantial burden across emotional, physical, and social domains, including experiencing depression that can negatively affect their well-being. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in treating depression among caregivers of cancer patients in Nairobi Cou ty, Kenya. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of depression among the caregivers, establish their sociodemographic characteristics, assess their quality of life (QoL), and examine the correlation between sociodemographic factors, QoL, and depression among the caregivers. The study was guided by three theoretical frameworks: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which underpins MBCT and emphasizes the role of cognitive restructuring in alleviating depressive symptoms; the transactional model of stress and coping theory (TMSC), which conceptualizes caregiving as a chronic stressor and highlights the importance of adaptive coping mechanisms; and self-efficacy theory, which posits that individuals’ belief in their ability to manage caregiving challenges influences psychological outcomes. These theories collectively informed the intervention design and interpretation of caregiver responses to MBCT. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted, utilizing a quantitative approach for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Purposive sampling was used to select two cancer centres: Texas Cancer Centre, which served as the experimental site; and Coptic Hospital, which served as the control group receiving treatment as usual. From a total caregiver population of 90, the study effectively functioned as a census and minimized sampling bias. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire (SDQ), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Caregiver QoL Index-Cancer (CQOLC). Analysis involved descriptive, inferential, and multivariate techniques using SPSS version 27. The findings revealed a high prevalence of depression among caregivers, estimated at 73.4%, and a significant reduction of depression in the experimental group at midline (M = 12.97) and endline (M = 10.58) due to MBCT, compared to the control group, which showed no significant change (p < .001). -Effect sizes were large (Cohen’s d = −1.713 at midline; −1.513 at endline), representing a >40% reduction in depression from baseline to endline. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and caregiving duration were significantly correlated with both depression levels and QoL scores. The study also found that caregivers with higher self-efficacy and adaptive coping strategies reported better psychological outcomes, aligning with the theoretical underpinnings of the research. Given the inherently demanding nature of caregiving, the study recommends that caregivers be consistently included in clinical evaluations and offered MBCT as an integral component of oncological care. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of theory-driven, contextually adapted interventions to support caregiver mental health, particularly in resource-constrained settings.