The Burden of Caregiving and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Bipolar Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Caring for patients with severe mental illness could be stressful. Information regarding the burden and quality of life (QOL) of the family caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder (BD) is scant from India. It was intended to study the burden and QOL of the caregivers of patients with BD and their association with sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study in a tertiary-level psychiatric hospital. Caregivers (n = 60) of patients with BD were assessed using the Family Burden Interview Schedule and World Health Organization QOL-BREF, along with their sociodemographic data. Results: Caregivers reported considerable burden in various areas, and a large proportion (71.7%) had higher burden and this group had significantly lower QOL in all domains. Burden and QOL had variations among demographic groups. There was no difference in the burden reported by male and female caregivers, however, the former appeared to have better QOL. Caregivers with the lowest income had considerable burden and poor QOL, besides the caregivers with lower education and from nuclear families. Conclusions: Family caregivers of patients with BD experienced considerable burden and had poorer QOL. Caregivers with lower education, the lowest income, and nuclear families had greater challenges. Assessment of caregivers’ needs and provision of appropriate support require prioritization.