Depression and quality of life in family caregivers of individuals with psychiatric illness

Previous research suggests that family dysfunction may be related to lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in parent caregivers, but it is unknown if this association exists in the context of child mental illness. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare HRQoL between parent caregivers and Canadian population norms using the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36); examine associations between family functioning and parental HRQoL; and investigate whether child and parental factors moderate associations between family functioning and parental HRQoL. Cross-sectional data were collected from children receiving mental healthcare at a pediatric hospital and their parents ( n = 97). Sample mean SF-36 scores were compared to Canadian population norms using t-tests and effect sizes were calculated. Multiple regression was used to evaluate associations between family functioning and parental physical and mental HRQoL, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Proposed moderators, including child age, sex, and externalizing disorder, and parental psychological distress, were tested as product-term interactions. Parents had significantly lower physical and mental HRQoL versus Canadian norms in most domains of the SF-36, and in the physical and mental component summary scores. Family functioning was not associated with parental physical HRQoL. However, lower family functioning predicted lower parental mental HRQoL. Tested variables did not moderate associations between family functioning and parental HRQoL. These findings support the uptake of approaches that strive for collaboration among healthcare providers, children, and their families (i.e., family-centered care) in child psychiatry settings. Future research should explore possible mediators and moderators of these associations.

show abstract

Family Functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Mental Illness

Reed

Bedard

Perlman

et al. 2023

J Child Fam Stud

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Quality of life and associated factors among family caregivers of individuals with psychiatric illness at DRH, South Wollo, Ethiopia, 2020

Gelaye

Andualem²

2022

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mental illness results in an enormous social and economic burden not only on patients, but also on their families and communities. Many caregivers of patients with mental illnesses suffer from an extremely poor quality of life. In Sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 71% caregivers suffer from economic burden of severe mental illness. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted on quality of life of caregivers in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the quality of life of family caregivers of patients with mental illness at Dessie Referral Hospital. The institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 caregivers selected using a consecutive sampling technique. The World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF was used to assess the quality of life. Logistic regression was performed and statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. 189 (47.5%) of family caregivers had poor quality of life. Being divorced, unable to read and write, primary education, being spouse, sibling and children of the patient, poor social support and high perceived stigma were significantly associated with the outcome variable. Because the magnitude of poor quality of life among family caregivers was high, family intervention programs are highly recommended to improve quality of life among caregivers.

show abstract

Caregiving: a risk factor of poor health and depression among informal caregivers in India- A comparative analysis

2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background In an ageing society, the provision of long-term care is the prime need. In Indian cultural setting, family members are the informal, albeit primary caregivers to the elderly. Caregiving demands intense emotional and financial involvement. While taking care of elderly persons’ health and wellbeing, these family members, acting as informal caregivers, may themselves become vulnerable to poor health due to additional stress and burden. Using a nationally representative survey, the study tried to identify how health condition varies within caregivers and a comparative analysis of how in similar socio-economic background health condition varies between caregivers and non-caregivers. Method The data, used for the analysis, is taken from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Wave I. Both descriptive and multivariable regression analysis are done in different models along with interaction effect of caregiving to understand the difference in health status between caregiver and non-caregivers. Results Nearly 29% and 11% of the informal caregivers, reported to have depressive symptoms and poor self-rated health (SRH), respectively. Almost half of the caregivers, who provide care for more than 40 h a week, are diagnosed to have depressive symptoms. They are also at higher risk of having depressive symptoms (AOR 1.59 CI 1.16–2.18) and poor SRH (AOR 1.73 CI 1.11–2.69) than those who invest less than 40 h in a week. In almost every socio-economic condition, caregivers are at a higher risk of having depression and poor health than non-caregivers. Caregivers, who are widowed, live in rural areas or are not satisfied with current living arrangement are more vulnerable to have depressive symptoms. On the other hand, caregivers of age 45–59 years, widowed, male and who live only with their children with spouse absent, have almost 2 times higher odds of poor SRH than non-caregivers. Conclusion Caregivers are more susceptible to depression and poor self-rated health compared to non-caregivers irrespective of their socio-economic characteristics, only the magnitude of vulnerability varies.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Depression and quality of life in family caregivers of individuals with psychiatric illness

Cited by 4 publications

References 16 publications

Family Functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Mental Illness

Family Functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life in Parents of Children with Mental Illness

Quality of life and associated factors among family caregivers of individuals with psychiatric illness at DRH, South Wollo, Ethiopia, 2020

Caregiving: a risk factor of poor health and depression among informal caregivers in India- A comparative analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About