Depression, Caregiver Burden and Associated Factors among Caregivers of Patients with Serious Mental Illness with High Risk to Violence in Bang Bo Hospital, Samutprakan Province
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The trend of patients with serious mental illness causing a high risk of violence is increasing. Caregivers play a crucial role in caring for these patients and are directly affected by the patients’ illnesses, often resulting in feelings of burden or mental health issues, such as depression.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression and the feeling of burden among caregivers of psychiatric and drug-addicted patients with serious mental illness leading to a high risk of violence.
METHODS: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 106 caregivers of psychiatric and drug-addicted patients with a high risk of violence who were receiving treatment at Bang Bo Hospital. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Thai version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Thai version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS: The prevalence of depression and burden among caregivers were 22.6% and 33%, respectively. Most caregivers with depression experienced mild symptoms (16%), and the majority of those who felt burdened experienced it at low to moderate levels (23.6%). Statistically significant factors associated with caregiver depression included sources of income and frequency of patient relapse. Factors significantly related to caregiver burden included the caregiver’s relationship with the patient, income source, financial sufficiency, negative experiences in caregiving, and patient compliance with treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers of patients with serious mental illness and high risk of violence have a higher prevalence of depression and caregiver burden compared to the general population. Mental health professionals should therefore screen caregivers for risk of depression and caregiver burden, provide them with counseling and continuous follow-up, monitor the risk of patient relapse or violent behavior, and offer social support to enhance the quality of life for both the patients and caregivers.
Thaiclinicaltrials.org number, TCTR20240830002
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