Association between satisfaction with life and caregiver burden, among psychiatric patients

Abstract

Background: People who are dealing with psychological disorders are not able to take care of themselves; therefore, their family has to take care of them. While dealing with psychological issues is itself difficult for their family members. Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder are psychological severe disorder that has a considerable influence not only in the patient but also for the entire family. This study aims to determine a relationship between life satisfaction and caregiver burden among caregivers of patients suffering from psychiatric illness. Methodology: We started the research after approval from the board of study and prior consent from the psychiatric hospitals' higher authorities and rehabilitation centers in Karachi. The authorities demonstrated the research objectives, the consent letter, and the questionnaire to be filled by the researcher.  Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBIS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (Pavot & Diener) were used. The sample size of this study was 170 psychiatric patients. Psychiatric patients were divided into schizophrenia disorder (n=85) and bipolar disorder (n=85). Results: The result indicates that the caregiver burden is the predictor of satisfaction with life in patients with bipolar disorders. It also shows in results that there was a significant difference among the different levels of the duration of illness on the variable of caregiver burden scale and satisfaction life scale among the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Further, findings indicate significant differences between males' and females' caregivers of psychiatric patients on the variable of caregiver burden and satisfaction with life scale. Conclusion: We concluded that caregiver burden significantly affects the mental health of the caregivers of patients with psychiatric disorders. Also, caregivers of people who are mentally ill patients suffer a lot of burdens. Therefore, interventions that can assist them, such as providing them with a support system and counselling services, must be created.