DEMOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES ON CAREGIVER BURDEN, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND HOPELESSNESS AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the demographic differences on caregiver burden, hopelessness, and psychological distress among caregivers of psychiatric patients. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad and Nishtar Hospital Multan, Pakistan in th th eight months from 10 April 2019 to 20 November 2019. Purposive sampling technique was used to include 240 caregivers of different age of psychiatric patients (with different duration of illness and type of illness) which were assessed on Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Beck Hopelessness Scale. RESULTS: Out of 240 participants, 124 (51.6%) were females and 116 (48.3%) were males, ranging in age from 18 to 45 years. Results disclosed that age group 36-45 years showed significant mean difference on psychological distress and age group 18-35 years showed significant difference on Hopelessness at p<0.01. While, caregivers dealing with patients who have illness for more than 20 years have significant mean difference on psychological distress and hopelessness at p<0.05. Caregivers dealing with patients who have less than 5 years of illness have significant mean difference on caregiver burden at p<0.001, and caregivers of patients with schizophrenia have significant mean difference with substance abuse, mood disorder and mental retardation on psychological distress and hopelessness at p<0.05. CONCLUSION: Older adults have higher psychological distress while, young adults have higher level of hopelessness. Caregivers of prolonged mental illness have higher psychological distress and caregiver burden. Caregivers of schizophrenic patients have higher level of psychological distress and hopelessness.