Factors Affecting Burden among Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia in Nong Ki Hospital, Buriram Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine burden and factors influencing burden among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The samples were 170 caregivers of patients with schizophrenia who took the patients for treatment at the outpatient department of Nong Ki Hospital. The samples were selected using simple random sampling. The data were collected during September 2017 and April 2018 for 8 months using self-reported questionnaires which include personal information, burden, knowledge about caring for patients with schizophrenia, perceived self-efficacy and family relationship questionnaires. The reliabilities of these questionnaires were 0.89, 0.78, 0.86 and 0.84 respectively. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed for data analysis.

             The results revealed that the average score of burden of caring patients with schizophrenia was at a moderate level ( = 59.97) (SD = 15.14). Age, perceived self-efficacy, and family relationship had significant negative associations with burdens (with r = -0.24, -0.22, and -0.28 respectively (p <.05). Result from multiple regression analysis showed that approximately 12% of the variance of the caregiver burden can be accounted for by the linear combination of age and family relationship (p < .05). The strongest predicting factor was age ( = -.26, p < .05) followed by family relationship ( = -.24, p < .05). Results from this study suggested that age, perceived self-efficacy, and family relationship had significant negative associations with burdens and health care providers need to develop mental health interventions for supporting families of schizophrenic patients to reduce their burdens through the promotion of family relationships.