Caregiving burden and positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of people living with schizophrenia: Two sides of the same coin

Abstract

BackgroundCaring for a family member with schizophrenia is associated with a significant burden, but may also bring about positive transformation among caregivers, which were rarely studied simultaneously. AimsThe current study aims to investigate the association between caregiver burden and positive aspects of caregiving (PAC), as well as explore and compare the correlates of each. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative urban sample of schizophrenia family caregivers in China (N = 406). Participants were interviewed individually to complete questionnaires regarding socio-demographics, caregiver burden, PAC, and psychosocial factors that included social support, coping, and family functioning. ResultsThe caregivers reported moderate levels of both caregiver burden (mean:43.05 ± 18.26, range: 0–88) and PAC (mean: 25.88 ± 9.59, range: 0–36), which were not significantly associated with each other (r = −0.06, p = 0.25) and had different correlates. Parent caregivers, middle and high school education, additional dependents, lower level of social support, and frequent endorsement of active and passive coping were all associated with more caregiver burden. Higher levels of social support, active coping, and family functioning were associated with higher PAC. ConclusionsCaring for a family member with schizophrenia can be both burdensome and rewarding. Caregiver burden and PAC coexist yet are unrelated with different correlates. Future research and intervention programs should not only focus on mitigating caregiver burden but also enhancing PAC, which may be realized through the improvement of social support, active coping, and family functioning while paying special attention to various socio-demographics.