The psychological well-being of family members of individuals with schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to attempt to understand the experience of family members of individuals with schizophrenia. More specifically, we wanted to determine whether a measure of caregiving would be a stronger predictor of the psychological well-being of families who have a member with schizophrenia than a measure of burden.


METHODS
Forty-one family members of 30 individuals with schizophrenia were recruited. A measure of burden, a measure of the experience of caregiving, and the duration of the illness were used to determine the best predictor of psychological wellbeing.


RESULTS
Regression analyses indicated that the strongest predictor of psychological well-being was the negative scale of the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI). There was also a significant relationship between poor psychological well-being and short duration of illness.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the study indicated that family members are significantly distressed as a result of having a family member with schizophrenia. There is support for using newer scales, like the ECI. Furthermore, increased family support is required in the early stages of the illness.
Martens
L
L
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Addington
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012559:Schizophrenia; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013997:Time Factors