A Study on Psychological Problems of Psychiatric Patients' Caregivers (original) (raw)

Schizophrenia: its psychological effects on family caregivers

International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 2016

Caregivers of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia experience moderate to severe caregiver burden and are at risk for developing mental disorders. This study explores the psychological effects and coping strategies of family caregivers of relatives diagnosed with schizophrenia in the developing world. Methods: This qualitative study used the register of a community mental health clinic at a Jamaican hospital to purposively select and recruit five primary family caregivers of clients diagnosed with schizophrenia (based on the DSM IV). Consenting participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Four of the five caregivers studied were females. Participants were either parents (4) or siblings (1) of the client diagnosed with schizophrenia and aged 42-57years. Participants experienced feelings of anger, sadness, loss of libido, loss of appetite and depression. They expressed feelings of fear, guilt, stigma and stress related to financial responsibilities in caring for their relatives. Coping mechanisms included social support from family members and their strong faith in God. Conclusion: Participants reported experiencing major psychological distress and ineffective coping. Community based management of individuals with schizophrenia should include strategies to support family caregivers.

Burden experienced by families of patients with schizophrenia and its related factors

2014

Aim: This study aimed to assess the burden experienced by the caregiver of patients with Schizophrenia, and evaluate its correlation with some demographic characteristics of patients, their caregivers, and the level of expressed emotion in the family. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 172 schizophrenic patients and their primary caregivers selected from the outpatient clinic of a mental hospital in Tehran, Iran using convenience sampling. Caregivers were evaluated with Zarit Burden Interview and Family Questionnaire to assess the burden experienced by the caregivers and the level of expressed emotion in the family, respectively. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's tests. Results: The level of burden experienced by the majority of primary caregivers was moderate to severe. The scores obtained in the subscales of emotional over-involvement and critical comments were higher than the cutoff point in 51.7% and 64.5% of caregivers respectively. The results showed that the scores obtained in the two subscales of family questionnaire had a significant, direct correlation with the burden experienced by the caregivers. The level of burden experienced by the caregivers was significantly different between the subgroups of age and marital status of the caregivers, and gender, occupational status and marital status of the patients. Number of family members, home ownership status, time spent by the caregiver with the patient daily, level of family

Psychological distress among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia

Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad: JAMC

Background: Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder not only for the patients but also for their caregivers. The caregivers of the patients suffer from psychological distress but receive minimum support from psychiatric services. Objectives were to assess the stress level in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and to determine the association of stress with demographic variables of caregivers. Methods: It was a descriptive hospital based study carried out in Psychiatry Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Fifty caregivers were included in the study during a period of one year. Socio-demographic variables were recorded on specially designed pro forma. Stress level was assessed by using Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) with a cut off score of 9 being taken as stressed. Results: Mean age of the caregivers was 45.44±14.25 years. Forty-two (84%) caregivers were males and 8 (16%) were females. Twenty-eight (56%) were uneducated, 16 (32%) had Primary education, 4 (8%) were matriculates and 2 (4%) graduates. Thirty-four (68%) of the caregivers were married 8 (16%each unmarried and widows/widowers. Thirty-two (64%) were unemployed and 18 (36%) were employed. Two (4%) had been providing care for less than 6 months, 4 (8%) for less than 12 months, 10 (20%) for less than 18 months, 2 (4%) for less than 24 months and 32 (64%) for more than 24 months. 22 (44%) were parents, 14 (28%) were siblings, 2 (4%) were children of the patients. Thirty-six (72%) caregivers were having score of more than 9 on SRQ-20. Stress showed a statistically significant association only with age (p-value <0.004). Conclusion: Psychological distress is present in majority of the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. There is statistically significant association between age of the caregiver and psychological distress, while gender, educational status, marital status, occupational status, duration of care and relation with the patient are not associated with psychological distress.

A Qualitative Study About Schizophrenia Caregiver’s Experiences and Needs

Enhancing Capacity of Healthcare Scholars and professionals in Responding to the Global Health Issues

Caregivers in schizophrenia patients have a high burden of care so they are unable to care optimally and have an impact on the high relapse. The study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of caregivers in caring for patients. This was qualitative research used a phenomenology approach. Participants were 11 caregivers who directly cared for schizophrenic. Purposive sampling technique was applied. The data collection method used in-depth interviews. The results gained four themes: caring experiences, perceived burdens, used coping mechanisms and caregivers' needs in caring for patients. Caregivers' experiences in caring for patients often encountered problems including insufficient knowledge, financial and support that created physical, emotional/psychological, and social burdens. Adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms were used. Caregivers' needs in caring for their family members affected by schizophrenia including knowledge, support and health services. Caring and support from people around them will reduce the risk of disruption of well-being and can improve the welfare of patients with schizophrenia. It can be concluded that caregivers' needs were some knowledge on how to care for patients and their treatment, supports and health services.

Family Burdens in patients with Schizophrenia

Jurnal Ilmiah Keperawatan Stikes Hang Tuah Surbaya

Introduction: People with schizophrenia need the role of the family as a caregiver. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the burden of the family as a caregiver for schizophrenia patients in an outpatient polyclinic setting, Menur Mental Health Hospital Surabaya. Methods: Total participants were 160 family caregivers who carry out routine check-ups for families with schizophrenia. The data was obtained using the Indonesian version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) questionnaire and Cronbach alpha (α) was 0.931. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and categorize the family caregiver burden. Results: The results showed that the majority of participants had burden score in the category no burden – low burdens: 64 participants (40.0%), the mild-moderate burden category was 84 participants (52.5%), the moderate-severe burden was 11 participants (6.9%), very severe burden category was only 1 participant (0.6%). In addition, the demographic data showed that most of ...

Lived Experiences of Adults Who Have a Relative with Schizophrenia

2023

Adult relatives of persons with schizophrenia are ones who lived or still live with the sick person. The duties of caring for someone with schizophrenia, along with the pressures of raising a family, can have a negative impact on carers, in case the relative is the primary caregiver, leading to stress and burnout. Despite this, many Healthcare Professionals continue to focus on the "ill" person and ignore caregiver difficulties, despite the obvious need to understand and support them. There is a dearth in the literature regarding the lived experiences of the relatives of people with schizophrenia. This study explores the lived experiences of adults who have a relative with schizophrenia to acquire a richer and a better understanding on the impact of caregiving, with reference to their coping mechanisms.

Schizophrenia: Impact on Family Dynamics

Current psychiatry reports, 2017

In many societies, family members are now the primary caregivers of mental health patients, taking on responsibilities traditionally under the purview of hospitals and medical professionals. The impact of this shift on the family is high, having both an emotional and economic toll. The aim of this paper is to review the main changes that occur in family dynamics for patients with schizophrenia. The article addresses three central themes: (i) changes in the family at the onset of the disorder, (ii) consequences for family members because of their caregiver role, and (iii) family interventions aimed at improving the complex dynamics within the family. After analyzing and discussing these themes, it is observed that despite advances in the field, the viability of taking care of a patient with schizophrenia by the family remains a challenge. Improving care will require commitments from the family, the mental health service system, and local and national governments for greater investmen...