A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Caregiving Burden, Coping, and Psychological Distress Among Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia Based on Illness Chronicity.

Jasleen Kaur Sandhu; Nitin Kumar; Harjot Singh; Gehlot Sanjay

doi:10.51168/wcbjy377

Autori

Jasleen Kaur Sandhu Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, SGRDIMSR. Consultant Psychiatrist (Part-time), Dr Harjot Neuropsychiatry Hospital.
Nitin Kumar Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Rajsamand, Rajasthan, India.
Harjot Singh Senior Staff Specialist Psychiatrist, Rockhampton Base Hospital, Queensland, Australia.
Gehlot Sanjay Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/wcbjy377

Cuvinte cheie:

schizophrenia, caregiver burden, coping, psychological distress, chronicity, Family Burden Interview Schedule, 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)

Rezumat

Background:

Schizophrenia imposes substantial caregiving demands on families. These demands may vary with illness chronicity, influencing caregiver burden, coping, and psychological distress.

Objective:

To compare caregiver burden, coping, and psychological distress between caregivers of patients with recent-onset and chronic schizophrenia.

Methods:

This hospital-based, cross-sectional, comparative study included 96 caregiver–patient dyads (48 per group) at Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur. Patients were grouped by illness duration: less than two years (Group B) and more than two years (Group A). Assessments included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS), Brief COPE, and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).

Results:

Caregivers were predominantly female (66.7%). Mean caregiving duration was 13.19 ± 9.62 years in Group A and 1.05 ± 0.47 years in Group B. Total PANSS scores were comparable (91.02 ± 6.45 vs. 88.63 ± 5.00), although positive symptoms were higher in Group B (29.81 vs. 23.85), whereas negative symptoms (22.80 vs. 19.80) and general psychopathology (44.90 vs. 39.00) were higher in Group A. Mean GHQ-12 scores were significantly higher in Group B than Group A (28.88 vs. 24.75); both indicated severe psychological distress. Total FBIS scores were significantly higher in Group A (25.85 vs. 19.15), particularly for financial burden (6.71 vs. 5.46), routine disruption (7.31 vs. 4.44), and mental-health impact (2.06 vs. 1.35). Brief COPE scores were higher in Group A (56.44 vs. 52.92). PANSS scores correlated significantly with psychological distress, whereas Brief COPE scores did not correlate significantly with GHQ-12 scores.

Conclusion and Recommendation:

Caregiver burden increased with illness chronicity, while psychological distress was greater in the recent-onset group. Routine caregiver screening, psychoeducation, coping-skills training, and appropriate psychosocial and financial support should be provided irrespective of illness duration.

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