Mentally ill caregivers: Reverse burden of care and its relationship with medication adherence among women in India - an exploratory study.

Abstract

Background: Caregivers (CGs) are often less adherent to medication due to the burden of caregiving. Women are often the main CGs in the family. The level of burden of care and medication adherence in mentally ill women CGs is unexplored. Aims: This study aimed to find out the levels of burden of care and its relationship with medication adherence in remitted mentally ill women CGs. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study, 100 remitted mentally ill women were recruited as per the selection criteria and assessed with sociodemographic pro forma, Zarit CG Burden Interview, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Results: More than half of the participants experienced significant burden (27% with mild-moderate burden, 19% with moderate to severe burden, and 7% with severe burden). 39% of the participants had high adherence, while the rest had medium to low adherence (36% medium and 25% low). Caregiving burden was more among employed ( P = 0.005), married ( P = 0.035), rural residence ( P = 0.050), living with spouse ( P = 0.050), and poor knowledge of treatment options ( P = 0.000). In multiple linear regression analysis, role strain had a significant association with medication adherence ( P = 0.002). Conclusions: Significant caregiving burden and low medication adherence are common in remitted mentally ill women CGs. Role strains are positively associated with medication adherence.