Caring for people with depression or with schizophrenia: Are the consequences different?

Abstract Attention to caregiver consequences has been mainly restricted to caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The few studies done in depression were conducted on small samples and/or with non-validated instruments. Caregiver consequences in depression and schizophrenia were measured with th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2009-08, Vol.169 (1), p.62-69
Main Authors: van Wijngaarden, Bob, Koeter, Maarten, Knapp, Martin, Tansella, Michele, Thornicroft, Graham, Vázquez-Barquero, José-Luis, Schene, Aart
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Caregivers
Caregivers - psychology
Caregivers - statistics & numerical data
Depression
Depression - physiopathology
Depression - psychology
Depression - therapy
Depressive disorders
Family health
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Mood disorders
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - physiopathology
Schizophrenia - therapy
Schizophrenic Psychology
Social Support
Stress, Psychological - diagnosis
Stress, Psychological - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract Attention to caregiver consequences has been mainly restricted to caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The few studies done in depression were conducted on small samples and/or with non-validated instruments. Caregiver consequences in depression and schizophrenia were measured with the validated Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ). IEQ scores of caregivers of 252 mainly outpatients with depression and caregivers of 151 mainly outpatients with schizophrenia were compared. IEQ scores were quite similar for depression and schizophrenia. Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia worry more and have more nursing tasks; in case of depression caregivers experience more tension between spouses. In case of many consequences caregivers live close to a patient who has more acute symptoms. They have more additional expenses on behalf of the patient, and report higher distress scores. In case of depression caregivers report less social support, and less coping abilities. Caregiver consequences of depression and schizophrenia are very similar. Differences reflect the context in which caregiving takes place: In schizophrenia mostly elderly mother caring for their ill (adult) child, in depression mostly spouses caring for their partner. Caregivers of patients with depression should be given more attention and support by professionals.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2008.06.013