Yu Yu1, Bing-Wei Tang2, Zi-Wei Liu2, Yu-Mei Chen2, Xing-Yu Zhang2, Shuiyuan Xiao3. 1. Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Hospital Evaluation Office, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China. 2. Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China. 3. Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Upper Mayuanlin Road 238, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China. Electronic address: xiaosy@csu.edu.cn.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to provide a comprehensive profile of the primary family caregivers of schizophrenia individuals in rural China. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 327 primary family caregivers of schizophrenia individuals recruited through a one-stage cluster sampling in Ningxiang County of Hunan province, China. The social demographic and psychological profiles of primary caregivers were measured using standard scales and self-designed scales. RESULTS: The typical caregiver profile consists of a 58-year old married first degree relative (mostly parents or spouses) with a low socio-economic position. Most of them have been caregiving for over 10 years (74.3%) and have some physical illness (67.0%). The major caregiving activities were medicine management (71.6%) and hospital visit (69.4%), yet there is still 17.1% primary caregivers involved with neither of the care. Most (84%) of caregivers reported some kind of burden, with anxiety in 45.9% of caregivers and depression in 45.4%. Family caregivers also reported positive aspects of caregiving including a well-functional family (51.0%) and rewarding feelings (58.3%). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study have brought attention to a special group of family caregivers for schizophrenia, with implications for intervention on them in the future.
OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to provide a comprehensive profile of the primary family caregivers of schizophrenia individuals in rural China. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 327 primary family caregivers of schizophrenia individuals recruited through a one-stage cluster sampling in Ningxiang County of Hunan province, China. The social demographic and psychological profiles of primary caregivers were measured using standard scales and self-designed scales. RESULTS: The typical caregiver profile consists of a 58-year old married first degree relative (mostly parents or spouses) with a low socio-economic position. Most of them have been caregiving for over 10 years (74.3%) and have some physical illness (67.0%). The major caregiving activities were medicine management (71.6%) and hospital visit (69.4%), yet there is still 17.1% primary caregivers involved with neither of the care. Most (84%) of caregivers reported some kind of burden, with anxiety in 45.9% of caregivers and depression in 45.4%. Family caregivers also reported positive aspects of caregiving including a well-functional family (51.0%) and rewarding feelings (58.3%). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study have brought attention to a special group of family caregivers for schizophrenia, with implications for intervention on them in the future.
Authors: Xiaxia Sun; Jingjing Ge; Hongdao Meng; Zhiguo Chen; Danping Liu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-06-02 Impact factor: 3.390