Family Caregivers Burden and Coping strategies for Patient With Schizophrenia in Mosul City

Abstract

Background, The family, remains the primary source of care for the patient with schizophrenia, having a patient with schizophrenia in a family also affects the roles and interactions within the family. Objectives: The objectives of the present study are to study the demographical data of the caregivers and to identify coping strategies and burden in family caregivers of schizophrenic patients as well as the effect of such a burden on the quality of health caring provided by family caregivers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was done on 105 family caregivers of schizophrenic patients, the study was carried out from 15th October 2019 through 30th July 2020. The data were collected through the use of Caregiver Burden Scale and Coping Strategies Scale through the interview with relatives of the patient. This study was conducted in psychiatry consultant and psychiatric lounges in Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital in Mosul city. The study Instrument consists of four parts; was the demographic data for the patient, part two demographic data for the caregivers, part three use the Caregiver Burden Scale, and part four use the coping scale. Results : The mean age of the caregivers (26-36) years. Most of the caregivers were male. The economic level of caregivers did not influence the burden score. Caregivers reported their family burden the overall total score is (55), which mean a moderate to severe burden according to the caregiver burden scale(41-60), which represent (74.3%) of the caregivers Conclusion : The study concluded the mean of burden was moderate to severe. There were significant differences between females and males; females had a higher subjective burden and males had a higher objective burden. No significant differences were found between participants according to their age in all burden types. Recommendations : The study recommended psychiatric nursing intervention should be focused on the need of the caregivers and an emphasis placed on community care for mentally ill patients as well as family intervention. Mental health professionals should increase attention to the caregivers in addition to the patients and develop more programs for families; they should be provided social support, especially by healthcare professionals, and they should also be provided psychoeducation. Further studies should examine the association between patients’ characteristics and level of burden, and to explore models of family interventions.