Caregiving burden, quality of life and perceived social support among caregivers of patients with diagnosed psychiatric illnesses

Abstract

The aim of current study is to assess the relationship between caregiving burden, quality of life and perceived social support among caregivers of patients with diagnosed psychiatric illnesses. After detailed literature review, hypotheses were framed for the present study such as; there will be negative correlation between caregiving burden, quality of life and perceived social support amongcaregivers of patients with psychiatric illnesses. There will be positive correlation between perceived social support and quality oflife among caregivers of patients with psychiatric illnesses. The total sample comprised of 150 (59 males and 91 females) participants. Demographic information sheet, burden assessment scale (Reinhard, 1994) translated version (Sadiq, & Suhail, 2013), The world health organization quality oflife scale (WHOqol-BREF, 1998) translated in urduby (Khalid & Kausar, 2008) and Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MPSS) ( Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1988) Urdu translated version of MPSS (Akhtar, Rehman, Husain,& Husain, 2010) were used in current study. Results indicate that the significant but weak negative relationship of caregiving burden with physical health and perceived social support from family and friends whereas Results also indicate the significant positive relationship between quality of life and perceived social support from family and friends. Significant differences were found among marital status and education level categories on caregiving burden. Limitations of current study and recommendations for future study have also been suggested.