MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH NEUROCOGNITIVE, NEURODEVELOPMENTAL AND MOOD DISORDERS: A QUANTITATIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PAKISTANI ADULTS

Background: Caregivers of individuals with chronic mental and neurological conditions often experience adverse mental health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare and psychosocial support systems are limited. While global literature has addressed caregiver burden, comparative data across neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, and mood disorders remain sparse, especially within the Pakistani context. This study was conducted to explore the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among caregivers in relation to the type of disorder being managed. Objective: To compare psychological distress—specifically depression, anxiety, and stress—among caregivers of individuals diagnosed with neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, and mood disorders in Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 237 caregivers recruited through purposive sampling from Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. Participants had been providing care for at least one year and possessed a minimum intermediate-level education. Data were collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Internal reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.88 for depression, 0.82 for anxiety, and 0.90 for stress. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation and one-way ANOVA, performed using SPSS version 27. Results: Significant positive correlations were observed among depression, anxiety, and stress (p < .01). Caregivers of individuals with mood disorders reported the highest distress levels: depression (M = 7.86, SD = 5.42), anxiety (M = 7.76, SD = 5.30), and stress (M = 7.86, SD = 5.42). Comparatively, caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders reported moderate levels, while those caring for neurocognitive disorders reported the lowest. ANOVA confirmed statistically significant differences across all groups (p = .001). Conclusion: This study highlights the elevated psychological burden faced by caregivers, particularly those supporting individuals with mood disorders. The findings underscore the need for early screening, culturally appropriate interventions, and policy initiatives to support caregiver mental health in Pakistan.