Relationship between burden, psychological well-being, and social support among caregivers of mentally ill patients

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Background Family caregivers of patients with chronic mental illness experience psychological stresses. Such stresses affect the psychological well-being of relatives, who have moderately high levels of burden and frequently get inadequate support from mental health professionals. Aim The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between burden, psychological well-being, and social support among caregivers of mentally ill patients. Research design A descriptive correlational design was used in this study. Setting This study was conducted at the psychiatric outpatient clinic in Azzazi Psychiatric Mental Health Hospital at Abu Hammad in Sharkia Governorate. Patients A purposive sample of 150 mentally ill patients’ caregivers, who accompany their patients to the psychiatric outpatient clinics, was recruited. Tools of data collection Four tools were utilized for data collection: sociodemographic data sheets, family burden scale, psychological well-being scale, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Results More than half of the caregivers aged from 40 to 60 years. Most of the patients were diagnosed as having schizophrenia. More than two-fifths of the caregivers were parents and had high level of burden. Nearly two-thirds had moderate level of psychological well-being, and approximately half of the caregivers had moderate level of social support. Conclusion There were negative statistically significant correlations among family burden, psychological well-being, and social support. However, a positive statistically significant correlation was detected between social support and psychological well-being. Recommendations It is recommended that training programs should be designed for caregivers to enhance psychological well-being and social support and decrease the level of burden among caregivers of mentally ill patients.