Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Burden of Care in Families of Patients with Schizophrenia

  • Published:
Quality of Life Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia and other disorders experience high levels of burden. Most studies of family burden in schizophrenia have taken place in developed countries. The current study examined family burden and its correlates in a medium income country in South America. Method: Forty-one relatives of patients with schizophrenia who were attending a public mental health outpatient service in the province of Arica, Chile, were assessed on Spanish versions of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Results: All caregivers show a very high degree of burden, especially mothers, older, with low educational level, without an employment and who are taking care of younger patients. Conclusions: As developing country, Chile has a few national social welfare and community rehabilitation programs for relatives of psychiatric patients, especially in this part of the country. This significantly influences the high level of burden experienced by these caregivers. These results suggest a close monitoring of carer’s mental health and the provision of a family intervention and psycho-social support.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. L Dixon C Adams A Lucksted (2000) ArticleTitleUpdate on Family Psychoeducation for Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Bull 26 5–20 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3hs1CnsQ%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Gutiérrez J, Caqueo A, Kavanagh D. Burden of care and general health in families of patients with schizophrenia. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (in press) 2005.

  3. JJ Cochrane PN Goering JM Rogers (1997) ArticleTitleThe mental health of informal caregivers in Ontario: An epidemiological survey Am J Public Health 87 2002–2008 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c%2Fptleiuw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9431291 Occurrence Handle10.2105/AJPH.87.12.2002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. J Leff (1994) ArticleTitleWorking with families of schizophrenic patients Brit J Psychiatr 164 IssueIDSuppl 23 71–76

    Google Scholar 

  5. MG McDonell (2003) ArticleTitleBurden in Schizophrenia caregivers: Impact of family psychoeducation and awareness of patient suicidality– Families and Couple Research J Family Process 42 91–103 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1545-5300.2003.00091.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. R Dillehay M Sandys (1990) ArticleTitleCaregivers for Alzheimer’s patients: What we are learning from research Int J Aging and Hum Dev 30 IssueID4 263–285 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BA2srisVw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. G Fadden P Bebbington L Kuipers (1987) ArticleTitleThe burden of care: The impact of functional psychiatric illness on the patient’s family Brit J Psychiatr 150 285–292 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieD38rptVc%3D Occurrence Handle10.1192/bjp.150.3.285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. L Kuipers J Leff D Lam (1992) Family Work for Schizophrenia: A Practical Guide London Gaskell

    Google Scholar 

  9. Martínez JA, Nadal S, Beperet M, Mendióroz P, grupo Psicot. Sobrecarga de los cuidadores familiares de pacientes con esquizofrenia: Factores determinantes. Anales del Sistema Sanitario de Navarra 2000; 23(1): 101–110.

  10. S Yamazaki S Sokejima T Mizoue S Fukuhara (2005) ArticleTitleHealth-related quality of life of mothers of children with leukemia in Japan Qual Life Res 14 1079–1085 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s11136-004-3288-z Occurrence Handle16041903

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. J Dwyer G Lee T Jankowski (1994) ArticleTitleReciprocity, Elder Satisfaction, and Caregiver Stress and Burden: The Exchange of Aid in the Family Caregiving Relationship J Marriage Fam 56 IssueID1 35–43 Occurrence Handle10.2307/352699

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. S Bloch G Szmukler H Herrman A Benson S Colussa (1995) ArticleTitleCounseling caregivers of relatives with schizophrenia: Themes, interventions, and caveats Family Process 34 413–425 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1545-5300.1995.00413.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymB28fptl0%3D Occurrence Handle8674522

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. A Castilla M López M Chavarría et al. (1998) ArticleTitleLa carga familiar en una muestra de pacientes esquizofrénicos en tratamiento ambulatorio Revista de la Asociación Española de Neurología XVIII 68 621–642

    Google Scholar 

  14. E Cassidy H O’Callaghan (2001) ArticleTitleEfficacy of a psychoeducational intervention in improving relatives’ knowledge about schizophrenia and reducing rehospitalisation Eur Psychiatr 16 IssueID8 446–450 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0924-9338(01)00605-8 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38%2FltFymsw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. J Jungbauer M Angermeyer (2002) ArticleTitleLiving with a schizophrenic patient: A comparative study of burden as it affects parents and spouses Psychiatry 65 IssueID2 110–123 Occurrence Handle12108136

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. R Thara S Kamath S Kumar (2003) ArticleTitleWomen with schizophrenia and broken marriages-doubly disadvantaged? Part II: Family perspective Int J Soc Psychiatr 49 IssueID3 233–240 Occurrence Handle10.1177/00207640030493009 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3srkslSrtw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. S Zarit K Reever J Bach-Peterson (1980) ArticleTitleRelatives of the impaired elderly: Correlates of feeling of burden Gerontologist 20 649–655 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi6C3sbnt1E%3D Occurrence Handle7203086

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. M Martín I Salvadó S Nadal et al. (1996) ArticleTitleAdaptación para nuestro medio de la Escala de Sobrecarga del Cuidador (Caregiver Burden Interview) de Zarit Revista Gerontológica 6 338–346

    Google Scholar 

  19. S Zarit L Teri (1991) ArticleTitleInterventions and services for family caregivers Ann Rev Gerentol Geriat 11 187–310

    Google Scholar 

  20. Montorio I, Izal Ma, López A, Sánchez Ma. La Entrevista de Carga del Cuidador Utilidad y validez del concepto de carga. Annales de Psicología 1998; 14(2): 229–248.

  21. L Magliano M Guarneri C Marasco P Tosini P Morosini M Maj (1996) ArticleTitleA new questionnaire assessment coping strategies in relatives of patients with schizophrenia development and factor analysis Acta Psychiat Scand 94 224–228 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiD28fit1w%3D Occurrence Handle8911556

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. J Greenberg H Kim J Greenley (1997) ArticleTitleFactors associated with subjective burden in siblings of adults with severe mental illness Am J Orthopsychiatr 67 IssueID2 231–241 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiB1cjis1A%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. A Stueve P Vine E Struening (1997) ArticleTitlePerceived burden among caregivers of adults with serious mental illness: Comparison of Black, Hispanic and White Families Am J Orthopychiatr 67 199–209 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiB1cjis1U%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. H Porvencher K Mueser (1997) ArticleTitlePositive and negative symptom behaviors and caregiver burden in the relatives of persons with schizophrenia Schizophrenia Bull 26 71–80 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0920-9964(97)00043-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. C Webb M Pfeiffer K Mueser et al. (1998) ArticleTitleBurden and well-being of caregivers for the severely mentally ill: The role of coping style and social support Schizophrenia Res 34 169–180 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0920-9964(98)00089-9 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M%2Fmsl2luw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. R Thara T Srinivasan (2000) ArticleTitleHow stigmatizing is schizophrenia in India? Int J Soc Psychiatr 46 IssueID2 135–141 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M%2Fot1GqtA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. J Wolthaus P Dingemans A Schene et al. (2002) ArticleTitleCaregiver burden in recent–onset schizophrenia and spectrum disorders: the influence of symptoms and personality traits J Nervous Mental Dis 190 IssueID4 241–247 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00005053-200204000-00005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. J Maurin C Boyd (1990) ArticleTitleBurden of mental illness on the family: A critical review Arch Psychiat Nurs 4 IssueID2 99–107 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0883-9417(90)90016-E Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BB1M%2FivFQ%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. L Magliano G Fadden M Madianos et al. (1998) ArticleTitleBurden of the families of patients with schizophrenia: result of the BIOMED I study Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 33 405–412 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s001270050073 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1cvjvFejsQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9766166

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. P Howard (1998) ArticleTitleThe experience of father of adult children with schizophrenia Issues Mental Health Nurs 19 399–413 Occurrence Handle10.1080/016128498249006 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1cvls1WrtQ%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. W Kung (2003) ArticleTitleThe Illness, Stigma, Cultura or Inmigration? Burden on Chinese American Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia Families Society: J Contemporary Hum Serv 84 IssueID4 547–557

    Google Scholar 

  32. L Haan ParticleDe K Welborn D Linszen (2004) ArticleTitleOpinions of mothers on the first episode and the start of treatment of their child Eur Psychiatr 19 IssueID4 226–229 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.eurpsy.2003.09.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. E Wright (1994) Caring for those who “can’t”, Gender, network structure, and the burden of caring for people with mental illness Doctoral dissertation, Indiana University Bloomington

    Google Scholar 

  34. A Babarro A Garrido A Díaz R Casquero M Riera (2004) ArticleTitlePerfil y sobrecarga de los cuidadores de pacientes con demencia incluidos en el programa ALOIS Atención Primaria 33 IssueID2 61–66 Occurrence Handle10.1157/13057256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. J Ohaeri (2001) ArticleTitleCaregiver burden and psychotic patient’s perception of social support in Nigerian setting Soc Psychiatry Pschiatr Epidemiol 36 86–93 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s001270050294 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3mtlCkug%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. L Kuipers (1993) ArticleTitleFamily burden in schizophrenia: implications for services Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 28 207–210 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuC3M3mt1M%3D Occurrence Handle8284732

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. J Cook H Lefley S Pickett B Cohler (1994) ArticleTitleAge and family among parents of offpring with severe mental illness Am J Orthopsychiatr 64 IssueID3 435–447 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqD28fivVY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. P Guarnaccia P Parra (1996) ArticleTitleEthnicity, social status and families experiences of caring for mentally ill family member Community Mental Health J 32 243–260 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF02249426 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymA1czhtVc%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. J Phelan E Bromet B Link (1998) ArticleTitlePsychiatric illness and family stigma Schizophrenia Bull 24 115–126 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7mtFKmtA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Roig MaV, Abengózar Ma C, Serra E. La sobrecarga en los cuidadores principales de enfermos de Alzheimer. Anales de Psicología 1998; 14(2): 215–227.

  41. D Czuchta E McCay (2001) ArticleTitleHelp-Seeking for Parents of Individuals experiencing a First Episode of Schizophrenia Arch Psychiat Nurs 15 159–170 Occurrence Handle10.1053/apnu.2001.25415 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3Mvlt1Shuw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. M Scazufca E Kuipers (1998) ArticleTitleStability of expressed emotion in relatives of those with schizophrenia and its relationship with burden of care and perception of patients’ social functioning Psychol Med 28 453–461 Occurrence Handle10.1017/S0033291797005977 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c3jtlKhuw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9572102

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Tarapacá, 18 de Septiembre #2222, Arica, Chile

    Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar

  2. Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    José Gutiérrez-Maldonado

Authors
  1. Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José Gutiérrez-Maldonado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Caqueo-Urízar, A., Gutiérrez-Maldonado, J. Burden of Care in Families of Patients with Schizophrenia. Qual Life Res 15, 719–724 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-4629-2

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-4629-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation