Abstract
BackgroundDefinitions of burden of care stress the effect of the patient's mental illness on the family. There are generally very few studies in this environment on caregiver burden in child/adolescent mental ill-health. This study aimed to identify patient and caregiver characteristics that are associated with caregiver burden.MethodCaregivers of patients attending the Child and Adolescent Clinic of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos [n = 155] were consecutively recruited over a one-month period. The caregivers were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview, and the Columbia Impairment Scale. Scoring on the Children's Global Assessment Scale was done by clinicians.ResultsMost caregivers observed in this study were females (80.5%), with mothers of the patients accounting for 78% of all the caregivers. A higher percentage of the patients were males (52.8%). Moderate to severe/severe burden was recorded among 25.2% of caregivers. Factors associated with caregiver burden were patient's level of functioning [r = 0.489, p < 0.001], psychiatric morbidity in the caregiver [r = 0.709, p < 0.001], level of impairment as assessed by the caregiver [r = 0.545, p < 0.001], and child's level of education [t = 3.274, p = 0.001]. Each one independently predicted caregiver burden.ConclusionThe study reveals a high level of burden among the caregivers of children and adolescents with mental health problems.
Highlights
Definitions of burden of care stress the effect of the patient’s mental illness on the family
Most caregivers observed in this study were females (80.5%), with mothers of the patients accounting for 78% of all the caregivers
Factors associated with caregiver burden were patient’s level of functioning [r = 0.489, p < 0.001], psychiatric morbidity in the caregiver [r = 0.709, p < 0.001], level of impairment as assessed by the caregiver [r = 0.545, p < 0.001], and child’s level of education [t = 3.274, p = 0.001]
Summary
Definitions of burden of care stress the effect of the patient’s mental illness on the family. Burden of care has been defined as “the presence of problems, difficulties or adverse events which affect the life (lives) of the psychiatric patient’s significant other(s)” [1]. These occur as a result of the challenges involved in caring for the mentally ill patient. Various definitions have been given, all stressing the effect of the patient’s illness on the family, or the impact that the patient’s illness has on the family’s daily routine, or health [2]. Parents of children with mental health disorders are more likely than other parents to cut work hours, to quit work, and to spend more time arranging their child’s care [5], the time involved in caring for chronically ill children leading to lost opportunities [6]
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