Abner Weng Cheong Poon1, Jackie Curtis2, Philip Ward3, Celia Loneragan4, Julia Lappin5. 1. Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Clinical Director, Youth Mental Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW; Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Associate Professor and Postgraduate Research Coordinator, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW; Director, Schizophrenia Research Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Research Assistant, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 5. Senior Lecturer, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Carers of people with psychosis may experience psychological distress and caregiving burden. However, few studies have examined both psychological and physical health of carers of young people with first episode psychosis (FEP). METHOD: A total of 32 young people with FEP and 42 of their carers were recruited from a mental health service. Standardised scales were administered to assess carers' psychological distress and risk for development of Type 2 diabetes. Their body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. RESULTS: A total of 24% ( n = 10) of carers experienced high/very high psychological distress and 39.0% ( n = 16) had high risk for Type 2 diabetes. It was common for carers to be overweight ( n = 33, 78.6%) and to have hypertension ( n = 14, 33.3%). Carers' higher levels of psychological distress were associated with shorter duration of illness in the young person. CONCLUSIONS: Caring for a young person with FEP is associated with poor physical and psychological health. Findings show the importance of supporting carers' physical and psychological health early in treatment of young people with FEP.
OBJECTIVE: Carers of people with psychosis may experience psychological distress and caregiving burden. However, few studies have examined both psychological and physical health of carers of young people with first episode psychosis (FEP). METHOD: A total of 32 young people with FEP and 42 of their carers were recruited from a mental health service. Standardised scales were administered to assess carers' psychological distress and risk for development of Type 2 diabetes. Their body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. RESULTS: A total of 24% ( n = 10) of carers experienced high/very high psychological distress and 39.0% ( n = 16) had high risk for Type 2 diabetes. It was common for carers to be overweight ( n = 33, 78.6%) and to have hypertension ( n = 14, 33.3%). Carers' higher levels of psychological distress were associated with shorter duration of illness in the young person. CONCLUSIONS: Caring for a young person with FEP is associated with poor physical and psychological health. Findings show the importance of supporting carers' physical and psychological health early in treatment of young people with FEP.
Entities:
Keywords:
carer; first episode psychosis; mental health; physical health; youth
Authors: George J Karambelas; Kate Filia; Linda K Byrne; Kelly A Allott; Anuradhi Jayasinghe; Sue M Cotton Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2022-06-23 Impact factor: 4.144
Authors: Jacqueline M Bailey; Tim W Regan; Kate M Bartlem; John H Wiggers; Paula M Wye; Jenny A Bowman Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2019-09-09 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Cassie M Hazell; Mark Hayward; Fiona Lobban; Aparajita Pandey; Vanessa Pinfold; Helen E Smith; Christina J Jones Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2020-06-02 Impact factor: 3.630