Investigation and analysis of psychological health status in the primary caregivers of schizophrenia patients in agricultural and pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia

Abstract

Objective To understand the psychological health status and related factors in the primary caregivers of schizophrenia patients in Inner Mongolia,in order to provide empirical basis for nursing care.Methods A sample of 264 chronic schizophrenia patients and their primary caregivers,and 260 local normal individuals were selected according to random cluster sampling.The Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS)were used to evaluate the psychological health status.Symptom severity was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).Results The total SCL-90 score of caregivers of patients was higher than that of local normal individuals,especially the scores of somatization,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,hostility,and paranoid ideation were higher than those of local normal individuals.Multiple regression analysis showed that caregivers' sex,caregivers' age,duration of illness,positive symptomatology,negative symptomatology and social support were significant predictors of caregivers' psychological health status.Conclusions The primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia have worse mental health.Health care professionals should pay close attention to psychological health status in the primary caregivers and provide continuous individualized services,and thereby to improve the primary caregiver' psychological health status. Key words: Agricultural and pastoral areas; Schizophrenia; Primary caregivers; Mental health; Crosssectional study