Perceived Burden and Quality of Life in Chinese Caregivers of People With Serious Mental Illness: A Comparison Cross-Sectional Survey.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate perceived caregiver burden and quality of life (QOL) among Chinese family caregivers for people with serious mental illness (SMI).

DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study design. Participants were recruited and independently interviewed using the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and Family Burden Interview Schedule as outcome measures.

FINDINGS

In this study, 363 family caregivers were recruited. This study found that caregivers in Guangzhou perceived significantly higher levels of burden than did family caregivers in Hong Kong (all p values <.001). Weekly hours of contact with patients; subjective support; and subdomains of physical, psychological, and environmental QOL were significant predictors of perceived overall caregiver burden. Education levels, depressive symptoms, objective support, and objective caregiver burden significantly predicted caregivers' QOL.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Study findings suggest there is a need for developing and implementing effective intervention strategies to reduce caregiver burden and improve caregivers' QOL. Health policy makers should provide relevant resources, such as financial assistance with care for family caregivers, as it is important that the health policy fully recognizes the role of family caregivers as a healthcare resource in caring for people with SMI.