Sunera M Fernando1, Frank P Deane2, Hamish J McLeod3, Esther L Davis4. 1. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: fdeane@uow.edu.au. 3. Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. 4. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Stigma compounds the burden experienced by family members of those with a mental illness. This study aimed to examine burden experienced by carers of people with schizophrenia or affective disorders and to explore the relationship between carer burden and stigma. METHOD: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted with patient-carer dyads involving 67 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 51 diagnosed with affective disorder. Carers completed the Zarit Burden Interview (short version) and stigma was measured using the Stigma Scale and the Internalised Stigma of Mental Illness Scale. RESULTS: Carer burden was significantly higher for schizophrenia than affective disorders. Female carers experienced significantly higher burden than male carers. Diagnosis, gender of carer and stigma predicted 22% of the variance in carer burden, with gender identified as a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing stigma related to disclosure of mental illness in carers has the potential to reduce carer burden.
OBJECTIVES: Stigma compounds the burden experienced by family members of those with a mental illness. This study aimed to examine burden experienced by carers of people with schizophrenia or affective disorders and to explore the relationship between carer burden and stigma. METHOD: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted with patient-carer dyads involving 67 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 51 diagnosed with affective disorder. Carers completed the Zarit Burden Interview (short version) and stigma was measured using the Stigma Scale and the Internalised Stigma of Mental Illness Scale. RESULTS: Carer burden was significantly higher for schizophrenia than affective disorders. Female carers experienced significantly higher burden than male carers. Diagnosis, gender of carer and stigma predicted 22% of the variance in carer burden, with gender identified as a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing stigma related to disclosure of mental illness in carers has the potential to reduce carer burden.
Authors: Mao-Sheng Ran; Yi-Zhou Wang; Pei-Yi Lu; Xue Weng; Tian-Ming Zhang; Shu-Yu Deng; Ming Li; Wei Luo; Irene Yin-Ling Wong; Lawrence H Yang; Graham Thornicroft; Lin Lu Journal: Lancet Reg Health West Pac Date: 2022-03-03
Authors: Chih-Cheng Chang; Yu-Min Chen; Tai-Ling Liu; Ray C Hsiao; Wen-Jiun Chou; Cheng-Fang Yen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-01-16 Impact factor: 3.390