Burden and Health in Relatives of Persons with Severe Mental Illness: A Norwegian Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract

This study describes and investigates burden to and health of relatives of persons with severe mental illness in relation to background variables, everyday life with the mentally ill person, and sense of coherence. A cross-sectional design was used. The respondents were 226 relatives from the Norwegian National Association for Families of Mentally Ill Persons. In addition to background variables and variables about everyday life with the mentally ill person, the questionnaire was comprised of the Burden Assessment Schedule (BAS), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Sense of Coherence Instrument (SOC). This study shows that the relatives were burdened and also reported poor health. Greater burden was experienced by women and by relatives who did not have anyone with whom to share the caregiving of the mentally ill person. For relatives who were single, divorced, or widowed, burden was greater and health was poorer; likewise for relatives who reported financial problems and frequent phone calls with the mentally ill person. Burden and poor health were associated with low SOC. The findings suggest a need for the health services to include and support these relatives in order for them to sustain health.

“Left Alone with Straining but Inescapable Responsibilities:” Relatives’ Experiences with Mental Health Services

“…Weimand et al, 2010). The extent of such needs varies among relatives, and hence support must be designed accordingly.…”

“…A qualitative, explorative study was performed, based on open-ended questions, in a cross-sectional study of relatives' health, burden, and sense of coherence (Weimand et al, 2010).…”

“…A simple random sample (n = 400) was made from the study population, representing local units from all parts of Norway. A questionnaire with the aim of investigating relatives' burden and health (Weimand et al, 2010) included two open-ended questions that were the basis of the present study. Of 226 relatives, 216 responded to the two open-ended questions; 53 were men and 163 were women.…”

“…& Kumar, 1998). Furthermore, burden has been found to negatively affect relatives' health (Srivastava, 2005;Weimand, Hedelin, Sällström, & Hall-Lord, 2010).…”

Le rôle des familles au sein du système de santé mentale au Québec

“…Plusieurs études ont permis de rendre compte des effets néfastes de la prise en charge d'une personne atteinte de trouble mental sur la santé, le bien-être et le sentiment de fardeau des aidants (Ricard, 1999 ;Doornbos, 2001 ;Jungbauer, Wittmund, Dietrich et Angermeyer, 2003 ;Lauber, Eichenberger, Luginbühl, Keller et Rössler, 2003 ;Thompson, 2007 ;Weimand et al, 2010). On constate que les familles présentent une moins bonne santé comparativement à la population générale, un sentiment élevé de fardeau et ce, davantage lorsqu'elles vivent de l'isolement social et un niveau de stress élevé (Weimand et al, 2010). Aussi, le fait de devoir prendre en charge les comportements inadéquats d'une personne atteinte de maladie mentale est une source considérable de stress pour le membre de famille (Thompson, 2007).…”