Quality of Life and Factors Affecting Care Burden of Caregivers of Chronic Schizophrenia Patients in the Community, Lampang Province

Abstract

Background: People with schizophrenia cannot fully support themselves. They need to be closely supervisedand monitored by caregivers. Consequently, the burden of caregivers of schizophrenia patients is an issue that shouldbe taken into consideration and solved. Objective: This study aimed to explore the quality of life and factors relatedto the burden of care among caregivers of chronic schizophrenia patients. Methods: A cross-sectional correlationalstudy was conducted. Results should add QOL and caregivers burden scores, then data about factors affecting carewere collected from 545 caregivers of admitted schizophrenic patients in Lampang Hospital and 12 communityhospitals in Lampang Province. Data were collected using questionnaires consisting of 3 parts: 1) caregivers’ personalinformation, 2) WHO’s quality of life assessment form, and 3) patient care burden measurement form with Cronbach’salpha coefficient confidence value of 0.93. Data were analyzed with Stepwise Multiple Regression analysis. Result: Theresult showed that the quality of life of the caregivers was at a good level, and the burden of taking care of patientswas low. Factors that could mostly predict the burden of the work among caregivers of schizophrenia patients werethe relationship with the patient and the duration of taking care of the patient, respectively. It was found that age,duration of patient care, and the relationship with the patient altogether could predict the burden of taking care ofschizophrenia patients. Conclusion: The care burden of caregivers of schizophrenia patients is related to the qualityof life of caregivers, which is both a modifiable and irreversible factor. The healthcare team may have to coordinatewith communities and related agencies to promote the occupation and provide extra income, ask questions aboutthe patients’ symptoms, and encourage them to take medicines to help them better control their symptoms. Thiswill result in a better quality of life for caregivers as well as reduce their burden.