Informal caregivers compared with users and health workers on well-being and respect for human rights in mental health care services.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to measure differences among informal caregivers, users, and mental healthcare workers (MHW) regarding job/organizational satisfaction and perceptions of respect for rights in the mental health services of one region of Italy.

METHODS

A sample of 100 caregivers, 240 MHW, and 200 users completed the "Well-Being at Work and Respect for Human Rights Questionnaire" (WWRR) in community mental health centers in Sardinia.

RESULTS

Caregivers reported higher satisfaction toward MHW on perceiving respect for human rights among users (5.2 ± 1.0 vs 5.1 ± 1.1, < 0.0001) and health professionals (5.3 ± 0.8 vs 4.5 ± 1.3, < 0.0001) and organization well-being (5.1 ± 1.2 vs 3.9 ± 1.3, < 0.0001); toward users about respect of rights of MHW (5.3 ± 0.8 vs 4.9 ± 1.2, < 0.0001) and both toward users and MHW on dissatisfaction on resources ( < 0.0001). Caregivers strongly highlighted insufficient resources for services.

CONCLUSION

Despite caregiver satisfaction, resource deficiencies signal a critical juncture in Italian mental health care. Continued cuts in healthcare spending, especially in mental health, raise concerns for future outcomes.