The Subjective Burden of Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia in Pekanbaru

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder experienced for a long time and accompanied by several times relapse. It gives negative impacts, recognised as the objective and subjective burdens, on families who care for schizophrenic patients (caregiver). The objective burdens were related to high medical costs, while the subjective burdens were related to emotional and social pressure in treating a schizophrenic patient. This study aimed to identify the subjective burden of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Pekanbaru City. It will be the basis for determining the appropriate treatment for schizophrenic patients in the community. The method used was a survey involving 31 caregivers as research samples determined using cluster sampling techniques, obtained from 6 sub-districts of 12 subdistricts, namely Rumbai, Rumbai Pesisir, Senapelan, Payung Sekaki, Sukajadi, and Marpoyan Damai. Researchers used the Indonesian version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale as a research instrument, validated by Utami (2011). The statistical analysis used was a descriptive statistical analysis. This research showed that most caregivers suffered from subjective burden in the moderate category (38.70%). The main burden includes the feeling of unable to care while feeling overburdened occupied the second position and the lowest was the feeling of rejection. Female caregivers mostly felt a higher burden than males. Furthermore, caregivers aged over 60 years old showed the feeling of overburdened and unable to care higher than other ages, but lower in rejection than others.