Cross-sectional study of factors associated with caregiver’s burden in patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders in urban India

Pharmacotherapy has deinstitutionalized the patients with psychotic disorder. This has led to the transfer of the caregiving burden from hospitals to family members of the patients. This study aimed to assess the caregivers' burden and the factors associated with it objectively. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted amongst 143 caregivers of patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders reporting to a psychiatric outpatient department. The investigative tool used was a 12-item ZARIT Burden Interview (ZBI) questionnaire. The frequency of schizophrenia amongst patients with psychotic disorder was 68.5%. The median age of caregivers was 50 years in the "high burden" group, 40 years in the "moderate burden" group, and 34 years in the "no/mild burden" group. The mean score of burden experienced by the caregiver was 27.5 ± 9.7. The degree of burden was high in 66% of caregivers. The caregivers were generally more females, married, less educated, and mainly parents. A high degree of burden was associated with variables viz. female gender (OR 1.77 [0.88, 3.57], P = .043), low education status (OR 2.31 [1.09, 4.91] P = .002), unemployed status (OR 2.32 [1.12, 4.78] P = .027) and, increasing age of caregiver. No significant association was found between the degree of burden and variables, viz. marital status of caregivers, duration of caregiving, and duration of patient's illness. The current study identifies variables that can predict caregiver's burden. These results also suggest the implementation of psycho-educational, community-based programs which can address the core issues associated with caregiving.