1Asst Professor, MS AJ College of Nursing, Chennai
2Professor, Apollo College of Nursing, Chennai
3Reader, Apollo College of Nursing, Chennai
4Principal, Apollo College of Nursing, Chennai
Online published on 15 May, 2019.
Schizophrenia is a common disease found in all cultures and in all parts of the world. Of all major mental illnesses, Schizophrenia is much most difficult to define and describe. Schizophrenia affects everyone in the family. This study was aimed to assess the predictors of family burden of patients with Schizophrenia.
A cross sectional, descriptive correlational study was conducted atselected private hopspital, Chennai, with the sample size of 100. Samples were selected through purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by interview method by using a demographic variables proforma of patients and family members, clinical variables proforma of patients and R. Thara et al Burden Assessment Schedule.
Mean and SD of global family burden of family members were 70.29/120±12.17. Highest burden (9.23/12±1.59) was experienced in relation to caregiver's strategy comparing to other areas. Mean and SD of spouses ’global family burden score was 73.1/120±11.8, other family members global family burden score was 69.57/108±12.23 and overall family burden for all family members score was 68.7/108±11.96. Family belonged to Muslim religion, family members aged below 40 years with poor social support perceived more family burden than others. Hence these variables are considered as predictors of higher family burden of patients with Schizophrenia.
The above findings reveal that the family members of patients with Schizophrenia experience burden which underscores the need for the health professionals including nurses to plan for the strategies to help the family members to cope with the problems effectively.
Family burden, Predictors, Schizophrenia
