Evaluating an online support program for carers of a person with depressive or anxiety symptoms: feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and impact

People living with depressive or anxiety symptoms receive most of their support from relatives, partners, and friends, who are commonly referred to as ‘informal carers’ or ‘mental health carers’. The support provided by these individuals is socially and economically significant and valuable. However, despite the many positive aspects of informal care, this role can pose many risks to the carer’s own health and wellbeing. Increasing evidence of this adversity has prompted governments, researchers and service providers to invest and evaluate carer-focused supports. However, evidence is limited for supports and interventions targeting carers of a person with depressive or anxiety symptoms. This thesis presents a series of studies aimed at evaluating a support program for these carers living in Australia. This research used psychology theory to conceptualise and explore the relationship between the carer and their environment and the capacity of interventions to influence carers’ experiences and outcomes. Further, a mixed methods approach investigated the novelty and need, feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a targeted online program. This investigation comprised four studies: 1) a systematic review, 2) a pilot study, 3) a national randomised controlled trial (RCT), and 4) a research impact study. Findings indicated a gap in intervention suitability evidence for carers of a person with depressive or anxiety symptoms. The results also established the feasibility and acceptability of a novel support program targeting these carers and the potential benefit of adding a social support component to this program. Preliminary trends were observed for the effect of the program on reducing carers’ reported burden and increasing their perceived coping self-efficacy. An added social forum component did not enhance these outcomes for carers; however, several methodological learnings were identified. The research impact of Minds Together across all domains, most particularly in capacity building was also indicated in this research. Findings in this thesis make a significant original contribution to knowledge through evidence of the novelty, feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and impact of an online support program for carers of a person with depressive or anxiety symptoms. This research also contributes to current theoretical and practical knowledge on support for informal carers and advocates for investment into early intervention research in this area.