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Determinants of burden in caregivers of patients with exacerbating schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

Christoph Lauber ,
Adrian Eichenberger ,
Peter Luginbühl ,
Christian Keller  and
Wulf Rössler
Christoph Lauber*
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital, Militärstrasse 8, P.O. Box 19030, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland
Adrian Eichenberger
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital, Militärstrasse 8, P.O. Box 19030, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland
Peter Luginbühl
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital, Militärstrasse 8, P.O. Box 19030, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland
Christian Keller
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital, Militärstrasse 8, P.O. Box 19030, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland
Wulf Rössler
Affiliation:
Psychiatric University Hospital, Militärstrasse 8, P.O. Box 19030, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail address: christoph.lauber@puk.zh.ch (C. Lauber).
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Abstract

Purpose

Restriction in involuntary hospital admission and reduced lengths of inpatient stay increase burden on relatives of individuals with schizophrenia. This study aims at assessing the relationship between caregiver burden and behavioural disturbances of the affected, e.g. threats, nuisances, but also substance use and aggression. Two weeks before the last hospitalisation of the affected are considered as being the most burdensome period for relatives.

Subjects and methods

Sixty-four relatives of schizophrenic patients were assessed by the semi-structured “Interview for Measuring the Burden on the Family”. Subscales and total scales of burden were calculated. Predictors were identified by regression analyses.

Results

The most important predictor of burden is burden in the relationship between caregiver and the affected representing the changes in the relationship occurring in acute illness. Threats, nuisances, time spent with the affected, and burden due to restricted social life and leisure activities were additional predictors, but not aggression or substance abuse. Eighty-five percent of the cases could be assigned correctly.

Discussion and conclusions

To better encounter burden, relatives should learn to cope with disturbing behaviour of and altered relationship to the affected, but also with their own needs. Finally, relatives must be included in the decision whether or not an affected person should be hospitalised.

Keywords

BurdenCaregiverSchizophreniaSubstance useAggression
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 18 , Issue 6 , October 2003 , pp. 285 - 289
Copyright
Copyright © Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS 2003

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