Exploring Psychological Distress, Burden of Care and Emotional Intelligence as Correlates of Psychological Well-being in Family and Non-family Caregivers of Individuals Living with Cannabis-induced Psychotic Disorder

Abstract

Caring for individuals living with cannabis-induced psychotic disorder poses unique challenges that significantly impact caregivers’ psychological well-being. This study delved into this complex caregiving landscape, exploring how psychological distress, the burden of care, and emotional intelligence collectively influence caregivers’ psychological well-being. The study was conducted at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos Nigeria. The research adopted purposive sampling, involving one hundred (100) participants encompassing both family and non-family caregivers. Participants completed four key instruments: The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) – 12, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), and Psychological Well-being Scale (PWB). Descriptive statistics provided mean and standard deviation values for psychological distress, burden of care, emotional intelligence, and psychological well-being, with the reliability of each scale assessed. Hypothesis testing included t-tests, simple linear regression, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression, yielding significant findings. Notably, family caregivers did not bear a significantly higher burden of care compared to their non-family counterparts (t = -.108, p<.05). Furthermore, female caregivers exhibited superior psychological well-being in contrast to male caregivers (t = -4.594, p<.05). Emotional intelligence significantly impacted psychological well-being (R square =.262), and a positive relationship existed between psychological distress and well-being (r = .596, p<.05). Lastly, psychological distress, emotional intelligence, and the burden of care collectively shaped psychological well-being (R square =.526). This research unravels the intricate dynamics faced by caregivers of individuals with cannabis-induced psychotic disorder, highlighting the pivotal roles of emotional intelligence and psychological distress. These insights deepen understanding of caregivers’ experiences and provide a foundation for tailored interventions to bolster their overall well-being. Keywords: Caregivers, Psychological Distress, Burden of Care, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Well-being, Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder