The Data Analytics and Survey Research Centre, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, North Point, Hong Kong.
Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Intern Med J. 2019 Mar;49 Suppl 1:9-15. doi: 10.1111/imj.14166.
BACKGROUND/AIM: Families, especially in Chinese society, play a crucial role in care provision for relatives with schizophrenia, but the burden of caregiving has shown to cause significant distress among caregivers. The aim of the study is to assess the degree of stress and burden among caregivers of relatives with schizophrenia and early psychosis in Hong Kong.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 454 caregivers recruited from two mental health non-governmental organisations and the outpatient clinic of a psychiatric hospital. Data were collected through a questionnaire administered via face-to-face or telephone interview.
Caregivers attributed most of their conflicts with the ill relative or other family members to their own lack of knowledge of patient symptoms (56.4%), other family members' lack of knowledge of patient symptoms (46.9%) or the ill relative's refusal to take medications (43.0%). Most of the caregivers had corresponding stress scores of 5 (scale: 1-5; mean = 3.88, 3.85 and 4.19, respectively). Nearly, a third (30.2%) of the caregivers surveyed reported an overall stress score of 5 (mean = 3.56). Regarding psychosocial problems, 78.0%, 49.8% and 45.8% of caregivers experienced anxiety, reduced socialising and insomnia, respectively.
Caregivers of relatives with schizophrenia and early psychosis experience significant stress and psychosocial burden. To help them cope with distress, community support services should be strengthened. Moreover, long-acting injectable antipsychotics are worth considering to alleviate caregiver burden due to ill relatives' medication compliance issues.
背景/目的：家庭，尤其是在中国社会，在为患有精神分裂症的亲属提供护理方面起着至关重要的作用，但护理工作的负担已被证明会给护理人员带来极大的困扰。本研究旨在评估香港精神分裂症和早期精神病患者亲属的护理人员的压力和负担程度。
采用横断面调查方法，从两家心理健康非政府组织和一家精神病院的门诊招募了 454 名护理人员。通过面对面或电话访谈的方式，使用问卷收集数据。
护理人员将与患病亲属或其他家庭成员的冲突主要归因于自己对患者症状的了解不足（56.4%）、其他家庭成员对患者症状的了解不足（46.9%）或患病亲属拒绝服药（43.0%）。大多数护理人员的压力评分相应为 5（评分范围：1-5；平均值分别为 3.88、3.85 和 4.19）。将近三分之一（30.2%）的被调查护理人员报告总体压力评分为 5（平均值为 3.56）。在心理社会问题方面，分别有 78.0%、49.8%和 45.8%的护理人员经历了焦虑、社交减少和失眠。
精神分裂症和早期精神病患者亲属的护理人员承受着巨大的压力和心理社会负担。为了帮助他们应对困扰，应加强社区支持服务。此外，长效注射抗精神病药物值得考虑，以减轻因患者服药依从性问题而给护理人员带来的负担。
