Operation family caregiver: Problem-solving training for military caregivers in a community setting.

Objective: This study, conducted over a 2-year period at 9 sites, describes the outcomes of an evidence-based support program, Operation Family Caregiver, to gain an understanding of how a tailored, problem-solving training could assist military caregivers, who provide care and assistance to those injured, ill, or disabled as a result of war.

Method: A pre-post research design was employed to examine caregiver burden, depression, health complaints, satisfaction with life, children's anxiety, and problem solving among a convenience sample of caregivers of 128 military service members and veterans.

Results: Analysis revealed a decrease in depression, burden, and health complaints and an increase in satisfaction of life and positive problem-solving skills (p < .001).

Conclusion: This program may be beneficial to caregiving families of military service and veterans living with posttraumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and/or a physical disability.