A comparative study of family burden and quality of life between caregivers of schizophrenia and dementia patients

Abstract

Background: In chronic mental diseases, as the disease progresses, it carries with tremendous burden both physically and psychologically on the family members, who are usually in the process of caregiving. The quality of life (QOL) of these caregivers is directly related to the subjective and objective burden of the illness. The objective of the study was to assess and compare the level of family burden and QOL between caregivers of Schizophrenia and Dementia patients as well as to find out the relationship between family burden and QOL.Methods: A total of 128 key caregivers (64 caregivers of each group) fulfilling the inclusion criteria purposely selected from the OPD of MHI, S. C. B. Medical College and Neuropsychiatric Consultation Centre, Cuttack. The impact of family burden on key caregivers of dementia and schizophrenia patients was assessed by using family burden interview schedule and the quality of life of key caregivers was assessed by using WHOQOL BREF scale. Data was analysed by using chi-squre, t test and pearson correlation. Data analysis was performed by SPSS.Results: Statistical significant differences (p <0.05) were found in the areas of financial burden, disruptions of family routine activities, family leisure and family interaction between dementia and schizophrenia caregivers. Whereas there was no statistical significant difference (p >0.05) found in different domains of quality of life between these two groups of caregivers. There were significant negative correlations found between family burden and psychological, social relationships and environment domains of quality of life.Conclusions: Caregivers perceived subjective and objective burden ultimately affecting their QOL.

A survey of caregiver burden in those providing informal care for patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with agitation: results from a European study

“…The IEQ results derived from this real-world survey indeed show that caring for patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with agitation has a significant impact on caregiver life. In agreement with previous studies using alternative methodologies, caregivers are affected across multiple domains [ 28 , 29 ]. The values are comparable to previously reported IEQ scores in bipolar disorder, [ 22 ] and schizophrenia, [ 23 ] with the differences observed most likely attributable to the differences in populations with neither study assessing agitation as a specific subset of symptoms.…”

The impact of care-recipient relationship type on mental health burden of caregivers for schizophrenia patients: evidence from Beijing, China

“…(Lasebikan and Ayinde, 2013;Swain et al, 2017). This result is in line with the findings of Chen's survey in Beijing, where approximately 70% of respondents reported experiencing mental stress burden(Chen et al, 2019).…”

Perceived Family Burden Between Caregivers of Schizophrenic Patients

“…Similarly, Ponangi et al, (2014) has found that burden of care was high in both subjective and objective scales and factors like female sex, middle age and severity of illness had effect on extent of burden. Swain et al, (2017) shows the level of subjective perception of the care givers towards their responsibilities. While half of the care givers of dementia patients felt that the family burden was little, nearly three quarters (73.4%) of those caring for schizophrenia patients had similar perception.…”

“…All the items of this scale are rated on 3point scale (viz, severe burden, Moderate burden and No burden). Similar tool was used by Swain et al, (2017), Yazici et al, (2016) and Geriani et al, (2015 to examine the family burden among the caregivers of persons with schizophrenia.…”