Mental Health Outcomes among Caregivers of Patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Mood Disorders: A Gender-Based Study

The mental health outcomes of caregivers, i.e., depression and stress, have been extensively studied in the context of patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and mood disorders; however, gender-based comparisons have not been widely explored within the cultural setting of Pakistan. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the differences between male and female caregivers of patients with OCD and mood disorders. The study adopted a cross-sectional correlational design and data were collected from 216 caregivers, with a minimum qualification of intermediate education and an age range of 18 to 60 years. Two instruments were utilized: the Depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Relative Stress Scale (RSS). The results revealed a significant relationship between stress and depression among caregivers of patients with OCD and mood disorders. Gender-based mean differences indicated that female caregivers scored substantially higher on both depression and stress compared to male caregivers. Furthermore, caregivers of patients with mood disorders scored significantly higher on depression and somewhat higher (though not significantly) on stress compared to caregivers of patients with OCD. In conclusion, the study highlights important implications for caregiver well-being in Pakistan.