Coping strategies of family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Iran: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to identify coping strategies used by family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and their determinants. Methods This was a descriptive correlational study. Participants were 225 family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia who were referred to the psychiatric clinic at one large teaching referral hospital in Iran. They were selected through purposive sampling method. Data collection tools were demographic and clinical data form, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Family Coping Questionnaire (FCQ). Results The score of caregiver burden was 65.14 ± 9.17. Of 225 family caregivers, 23.11% used an avoiding coping strategy. There was a significant relationship between caregiver burden and coping strategies ( P < 0.001). The regression model showed that adaptive coping strategies were significantly associated with some demographic characteristics including age, education level, gender, employment status, losing the job because of caregiving responsibilities, perceived income adequacy, duration of illness, duration of caregiving and caregiver burden ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia experience a high level of burden, which can put them at risk of using maladaptive coping strategies. Mental health professionals should plan programs that support both family caregivers and patients in clinical and community settings.

Coping with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome: quality of life and psychosocial features of family carers

“…Furthermore, emotion-focused disengagement strategies were more visible when the illness lasted longer and, thus, the time devoted to caregiving. This coincides with previous empirical findings [63]. Finally, with regard to coping, religious type has not been evaluated in this study.…”

Coping with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome: quality of life and psychosocial features of family carers

“…Furthermore, emotion-focused disengagement strategies were more visible when the illness lasted longer and, thus, the time devoted to caregiving. This coincides with previous empirical ndings [63]. Finally, with regard to coping, religious type has not been evaluated in this study.…”

“…More time spent within the self could improve the increase of internal and external resources. In our study, working caregivers used more problem solving and sought social support, as in other research, where working caregivers made more functional use of coping strategies [63].Clinical and developmental pro le of children with WHS…”

Functional health literacy and caregiving burden among family caregivers of patients with end‐stage renal disease

“…In contrast, limited FHL creates considerable challenges even when trying to accomplish simple tasks, such as reading and understanding a consent form or a health education brochure (Baker, Williams, Parker, Gazmararian, & Nurss, 1999). It is also associated with poor understanding of oral instructions (Schillinger, Bindman, Wang, Stewart, & Piette, 2004), low disease knowledge (Yeh et al, 2018) and less use of more effective coping strategies, such as seeking information (Ellis, Mullan, Worsley, & Pai, 2012; Rahmani et al, 2019).…”