The Dimensions of Caregiver Burden in Schizophrenia: The Role of Patient Functionality

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between schizophrenia patients' functionalities and symptoms and caregiver burden subdimensions. Method: Ninety-two schizophrenia patients and their caregivers were included. Patient functionality was evaluated using the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia Scale; symptom severity and type were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and caregiver burden was evaluated using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Results: According to our findings, while patients' positive symptoms were uncorrelated with caregiver burden, negative symptoms exhibited a direct linear correlation with the dependency and economic burden dimensions in particular. Patients' functionalities exhibited a significant reverse correlation with almost all caregiver burden dimensions (except for impairment in social relationships). The highest correlation was with the psychological tension and impairment of private life burden dimension. Conclusion: In conclusion, a small number of negative symptoms and a good level of functionality are associated with less caregiver burden, and this correlation is more pronounced in certain burden dimensions, such as dependency, economic burden, psychological tension and impairment of private life.