Exploring the burden of the family caregivers of patients with major mental disorders in Greece

V. Sapouna, V. Dafermos, V. Vivilaki, M. Chatziarsenis, I. L. Aivaliotis, P. Bitsios, C. Lionis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the burden of the family caregivers of patients with major mental disorders and the factors that affect caregiver burden in Crete, Greece. Methods: A total of 140 primary family caregivers were investigated using the Greek version of the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire-European Version (IEQ-EU), to measure caregivers' consequences and the caregivers' health condition. The Antonovsky's sense of coherence (SOC) scale also used to measure personal capability of the caregivers. Scale scores were calculated and relationship between the results were explored. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the relationship between demographic factors and caregiver burden. Multiple regression was used to analyze predictors of burden of caregivers. Results: The majority of the family caregivers were female (77%). The caregiver burden scores (mean=36.27, SD=15.98) indicated a moderate burden level. Among the four domain of burden, worrying (mean=14.29, SD=6.02) and urging (mean=12.82, SD=7.37) scored the highest. Majority of family caregivers worried about their patient's future (mean=4.17, SD=1.25), financial status (mean=3.85, SD=1.44) and general health (mean=3.83, SD=1.49). Higher burden seems to be associated with the family caregiver's gender, the condition of being a parent and financial expenditure. GHQ-12 score (P<0.01), and the SOC score of the family caregivers (P<0.01) were significantly associated with the caregiver burden scores. Conclusions: Assesment of status of the family caregiver of major mental disorders patients seems to be gaining considererable importance. The results underscore that the involvement evaluation questionnair e and the sense of coherence scale seem to be highly useful for identifying caregivers at risk of stress, their pattern of burden and coping strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-35
Number of pages11
JournalReview of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics, International Edition
Volume29
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Burden
  • Caregiver consequences
  • Family caregiver
  • Greece
  • Major mental disorders

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