Objective
This study aimed to compare the degree of objective and subjective burden felt by family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and by family caregivers of patients with major depression, as well as the associated factors and life dimensions most affected in each group.
Methods
Participated in this study 50 family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and 50 family caregivers of patients with major depression. These subjects participated in a structured interview for the application of the FBIS-BR burden scale and a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire.
Results
The results indicated significant differences in the degree of burden of the two family caregivers groups, in the analysis of specific scale items. The family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia showed significantly higher objective burden in the subscale “Assistance in Everyday Life”, particularly in the tasks related to medication administration and financial management, and they also had more feeling of financial burden. Caregivers of patients with major depression had a higher frequency of self-injurious behaviors supervision, more concern with the social life of patients and a greater feeling of discomfort in the service tasks in everyday life. No difference was observed between groups regarding the scale global scores.
Conclusion
The differences found in this study pointed out the need for mental health services to plan specific interventions for each group of family caregivers.
Family caregivers; family caregivers’ burden; psychiatric patients; patients’ diagnostics; schizophrenia and major depression