Assessment of caregiver burden and their quality of life at a tertiary care center: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Caregivers (CGs) of persons with psychiatric illness have different levels of burden and quality of life. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the levels of CG burden, to determine the correlates of CG's burden, and also to examine perceived burden and its influence on the quality of life. Settings and Design: It was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care center. A total of eighty CGs were assessed within 1-month period by consecutive sampling. Methodology: CGs of patients from four different groups, twenty participants each from schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, alcohol use disorders, and depressive disorders, were assessed using the Burden Assessment Schedule and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scale. Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 20. Results: CGs of persons with schizophrenia were found to have the highest and depressive disorders with least burden. Burden significantly increases for CGs who are below poverty line, when they get physical illness during caregiving process, and for primary CGs. CG burden increases with severity of illness except in depressive disorders. Quality-of-life domains were significantly different among all groups. There was a significant negative correlation between CG burden and quality of life in all the four groups. Conclusion: CG's quality of life is adversely affected by the process of caregiving. By addressing the level of burden and providing appropriate remedial measures, we could improve the quality of life of CGs, thus facilitating the prognosis of the diseased.