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The term 'burden' refers to the negative consequences resulting from providing care to a patient with a serious mental disease. The aim of this study is to adapt and validate the Subjective and Objective Family Burden Interview (ECFOS) in a sample of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia, by assessing the construct validity of the survey and its reliability in terms of internal consistency and temporal stability. Method: A total of 150 primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were interviewed with the Subjective and Objective Family Burden Interview (ECFOS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Zarit scale for assessing caregiver burden and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQol-Brief). Results: The exploratory factor analysis showed the existence of six factors that explain 45.21% of the variance. The internal consistency of each of the factors after the first application of the instrument yielded alpha values that fluctuated from 0.77 to 0.88, while after the second application, such values ranged from 0.67 to 0.87. Regarding the test-retest reliability, after an interval of a month moderate to high correlations were found, ranging from 0.49 to 0.77. Conclusions: In spite of the differences found between the original Spanish version of the instrument and its adapted version, the results obtained demonstrate that the adapted version of the Subjective and Objective Family Burden Interview is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the burden presented by patients with schizophrenia to their primary caregivers.

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The experience of living with people who present a Severe Mental Disorder (SMD) is hard for the families, especially for children who have been less studied. This research was aimed to know how the experience of having lived with a parent with severe mental disorder influenced on childhood, adolescence and young adulthood of their children. Method: The experience of coexistence with a parent with SMD in 10 children (6 men and 4 women) aged between 18 and 29 years was analyzed through individual semi-structured interviews and a group interview. The sample was obtained by convenience and all participants lived at least two continuous years during their childhood with a parent who presented SMD. Regarding the diagnoses, four parents suffered schizophrenia and six, bipolar disorder. The study is qualitative, exploratory and of descriptive type. An analysis of content and thematic of the corpuses was performed. Results: Show that by coexisting with a parent with SMD have negative as well as positive consequences. Among the negative consequences the following can be mentioned: distressing feelings, family burden and the delay of stages in the vital cycle. On the other hand, the positive consequences are related to the development of strengths in the offspring. Conclusions: These findings may provide inputs to be focused on the work with children of people affected by SMD.

The objective of the study was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics, the use of nets, the self-perception of health, needs and resources of persons in streets with problems of mental health or problematic consumption of alcohol and/or drugs, in the Bio Bio region (Chile). Method: Between the months of December 2014 and March 2015, information was obtained from a sample of convenience of 65 homeless persons with a history of mental problems, linked to programs of the Secretaría Regional Ministerial (SEREMI) of social development. Socio-demographic characterization instruments were used, the Maristán Scale of Needs and Inventory of Resources for Homeless People. Results: The General characteristics of the sample include being male, with an average age of 41 years. The sample is characterized by low scholastic level and conditions of job instability, as well as a regular perception of physical and mental health. People have more needs health, work, use of the free time, and existentials, that of everyday life. The State and the family are the main sources of support for this population. Conclusions: The findings of this research, allow a first approach to the socio-demographic profile, perception of health and needs of the homeless persons with mental health problems and/or problematic abuse of alcohol and/or drugs. From the results it is possible to determine a baseline for future programmes in the region.