MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH OCD: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling mental health condition that significantly impacts not only affected individuals but also their caregivers. Caregivers, particularly in low-resource settings like Pakistan, often experience heightened psychological distress due to a lack of awareness, social stigma, and limited support systems. While global literature acknowledges the burden on caregivers, there remains a critical gap in Pakistan-specific research examining depression, anxiety, and stress among caregivers of individuals with OCD. Objective: To assess the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among caregivers of patients with OCD in Pakistan and to determine whether anxiety mediates the relationship between stress and depression. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted using purposive sampling. A total of 300 caregivers of individuals diagnosed with OCD were recruited through online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the DASS-21, a validated self-report measure. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 27, and Hayes Process Macro 4.1 (Model 4) was applied for mediation analysis. Results: The majority of caregivers were female (67%), with a mean age of 37.36 years (SD = 9.94). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between depression, anxiety, and stress (r = .97, .51, .49; p < .01). Mediation analysis showed that stress significantly predicted anxiety (β = .46, p < .001), and anxiety significantly predicted depression (β = .96, p < .001), with anxiety mediating the stress–depression relationship (indirect effect = .45, 95% CI [.37, .55]). Conclusion: Caregivers of individuals with OCD in Pakistan face substantial psychological challenges. The findings support the need for caregiver-focused interventions, including psychological counselling, awareness campaigns, and government-supported mental health services.