Psychological Distress among Caregivers of Mental Illness Patients in Anambra State: A Predictive Study of Financial Stress

The study investigated financial stress as predictor of psychological distress among caregivers of mental illness patients in Anambra State. A total of seventy-eight (78) participants working in Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Nawfia Anambra State were used for the study. They consist of 27(34.6%) males and 51(65.42%) females. Their age ranged from 32 to 56 years with the age mean of 43.23 and standard deviation of 8.15. Non-probability sampling technique (purposive sampling technique) was used to select the participants. Three instruments were used for the study: Financial Stress Questionnaire and Kessler (K10) Psychological Distress Scale. The study adopted cross sectional and correlational design. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was used in testing the predictive effect of the variables in the study. Results showed that affection dimension of financial stress had significant prediction on psychological distress at (F3, 74) β= 1.21, t = 6.77, p<.01. Conversely, Relational/interpersonal dimension of financial stress at (F3, 74) β= -.57, t = -3.32, p<.01; and Physiology response dimension of financial stress negatively predicted psychological distress at (F3, 74) β= -.56, t = -3.58, p<.01. Based on the findings, the study suggests that hospital management should provide a good working system and relationship that is supportive. This will keep the mental health of the caregivers positive always and thereby reduce distress.