Burdens and gratifications of caregiving: appraisal of parental care of adults with schizophrenia.

The caregiving experiences of 60 parents of adults with schizophrenia were investigated for the presence of gratification; the role of the interpersonal caregiver-child relationship; and the effects of burden, gratification, conflict, and intimacy. Results indicate that relationships, as measured by intimacy and conflict, were more highly associated with burden and gratification than were severity of schizophrenic symptoms or degree of caregiving involvement. Implications for therapeutic interventions are discussed.