Relationship between sleep quality and psychological well-being among caregivers of patients with mental illness

Background: Caregivers of patients with serious mental illness suffer from poor sleep quality and quality of life due to strong dependency of patients on caregivers. Addressing the caregiver burden and its effect on their physiological and psychological aspect of well-being can improve patient outcomes. Objectives : The study aimed to assess the correlation between sleep quality and psychological well-being among caregivers of patients with mental illness. The study also examined the association between the sleep quality of caregivers and selected variables such as age, gender, education, and occupation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used. Data were collected from 112 caregivers, who attended the outpatient psychiatry clinics of Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, Kerala. Socio-personal data of caregivers as well as socio-personal and clinical data of patients were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule and record review. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and psychological well-being was assessed using Ryff’s Psychological Wellbeing Scale (RPWBS). Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis. Results: Findings revealed that 59 (52.6%) caregivers experienced poor sleep quality (global PSQI score >5). A significant negative correlation was observed between the sleep quality index (PSQI score) and the psychological well-being (RPWBS score) of the caregivers. Findings also showed that the male gender, higher educational level, Above Poverty Line socioeconomic status, absence of lifestyle diseases, and joint/extended family were associated with better sleep quality. Conclusion: It is important to understand various psychological and physiological effects of caregiver burden in mental illness. Interventions targeting families where relatives experience mental health problems are important to prevent relapse and promote recovery in the patients. The psychological health of caregivers is affected by insufficient sleep, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. These results suggest close monitoring of the caregivers’ mental health and the provision of family - focused interventions.