1MSc. Nursing Student (Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing), National Institute of Nursing Education, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
2Assistant Professor, Psychiatric Nursing (Centre of Excellence, Government Medical College & Hospital-32), Chandigarh
3Principal, National Institute of Nursing Education, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
4Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
Online published on 26 October, 2018.
Caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders experience significant burden and distress. There is a need to design interventions to reduce the caregiver burden and distress, which can ultimately also lead to improved patient outcomes. Family based care aims to reduce stress and burden among caregivers beside patient management as treatment goals.
The present study was conducted with the aim to assess the effect of ‘Caregiver Support Interventions’ on the subjective burden and psychological-wellbeing of caregivers of patients with severe mental illness.
Forty participants were selected using Purposive Sampling technique from patients attending psychiatry OPD and admitted in psychiatry ward, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Caregivers were assessed at the baseline and 2 weeks after the last session of intervention on Zarit Burden Interview and Ryff's psychological-Well-being Scale. A six days intervention was provided to the experimental group in the form of ‘Caregiver Support Interventions’ in session of 45 minutes. Control group received the routine care.
Reassessment of caregivers after the intervention showed significant reduction in burden among caregivers in experimental group, but not in the control group.
Brief ‘Caregiver Support Interventions’ can reduce the burden and improve the wellbeing of caregivers of patients with severe mental illness.
Caregivers, burden, wellbeing
