Informal caregivers of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia: determinants and predictors of resilience

Abstract

Background: The extant literature portrays informal caregiving by family members who care for a person with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, as one that involves a tremendous amount of stress and burden. Aim: This investigation sought to assess informal caregiving experience with regard to variables such as perceived positive aspects, preparedness, resilience, and life satisfaction. Method: Data was collected from two groups of respondents accessing services at the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital, Tamil Nadu, India. The study group consisted of 75 family caregivers of persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and the reference group had an equal number of caregivers of people with minor physical ailments. The two groups were matched on important background factors, ensuring their comparability. Standardised instruments were administered to all respondents to collect data pertaining to the key variables and analysed using appropriate statistical procedures. Results: Results indicated that caregivers of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, while manifesting higher levels of resilience, perceived lesser positive aspects in their caring role. A significant statistical difference between both groups of respondents in terms of their life satisfaction and resilience. Regression analyses extracted preparedness and life satisfaction as significant contributors to the manifestation of resilience in the caregivers. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of caregiver preparedness and life satisfaction in enhancing their resilience.