Caregivers Burden of Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Sectional Study

Abstract

Background:Caregiving has been identified as a basic component of human nature and a primary element of close relationship. This study aims to assess the extent and pattern of burden felt by the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in comparison with bipolar disorder.Materials and Methods:Fifty-two patients with schizophrenia and fifty-one patients with bipolar disorder attending the outpatient department were assessed in the study. The burden among the caregivers was assessed using Burden Assessment Schedule.Results:The caregivers of schizophrenia group had significantly higher total burden score as compared to caregivers of bipolar disorder. Caregivers of schizophrenia experienced significantly higher burden in area of external support, caregivers routine, and other relations.Conclusion:The extent of burden among families of schizophrenic patients is more than those of bipolar disorder. The families of patients with bipolar disorder do also experience considerable burden. The pattern of burden among families of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is almost identical in most of the domains except for external support, caregivers routine, and other relations.

Burden of Care on Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients: A Correlation to Personality and Coping

“…In contrast, a study conducted in China observed a positive correlation between age of the caregiver and the burden levels, and a negative correlation between the education level of the caregiver and the burden levels [9]. A study conducted by Vasudeva et al, in India shows higher levels of burden in caregivers of nuclear families as compared to those living in joint families [6]. Our study established that the levels of burden were higher in caregivers with a greater inclination towards psychoticism.…”

“…A similar study conducted in Israel concluded that the highest burden was related to apprehension and the second highest was related to financial burden [7]. Another study conducted in India concluded that the pattern of burden in caregivers of schizophrenia patients and those with bipolar disorder were almost similar except in areas of external support from other family members, caregiver routine, and in terms of maintaining cordial relationships with family and friends, which was higher in caregivers of schizophrenia patients [6]. Our study observed disruption of routine family activities, disruption of family interaction, financial burden, and effect on physical health of other family members as the other manifestations of the burden experienced by the caregivers.…”

Family Burden in Caregivers of Chronic Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder – A Comparative Study

“…Maji et al 2011 found that more than 90% of family members of bipolar affective disorder reported severe subjective burden and objective burden at admission; none of them was free from burden. [27] According to Vasudeva et al 2013 caregivers of Schizophrenia had significantly higher total burden as compared to caregivers of Bipolar Disorder. Caregivers of Schizophrenia experienced significantly higher burden in area of external support, caregiver's routine and other relations.…”

“…Caregivers of Schizophrenia experienced significantly higher burden in area of external support, caregiver's routine and other relations. [28] The primary objectives of the present study were as follows: 1. To assess burden of Caregiver of Chronic Schizophrenia.…”

A Study of Stressors, Coping Skills, and Burden in Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia

“…This finding was in contrast to majority of the studies on caregivers where females were largely represented. 15,23,24 The mean age of the study group was 50.73±14.572 and duration of care was 9.74±8.341 where as in the study of Wageeh Abdel-Nasser Hassan et al 15 the mean age was 33.6±11.6 and in the study of Anupama Rammohan et al 25 the mean age of parents and spouses was 54.4±7.96 and 47.29±8.07, the mean duration of the care in that study was 5.88±4.59 and 7.50±4.97 for parents and spouses as caregivers, in the study of Vasudeva S et al 25 the mean age of caregiver was 48.32±11.65 and duration of caregiving by parents was 7.13±3. 13.…”