Subjective burden over 12 months in parents of patients with schizophrenia.
This is a follow-up study aimed at investigating subjective burden in parents of patients with schizophrenia during a 12-month period. Using a narrative interview technique, parents were questioned regarding the subject of illness-related burden; follow-up interviews were conducted after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Forty-seven interview sets were examined with the aim of determining different types of burden development. The analysis yielded the following six developmental types: (1). constantly high level of burden; (2). increased burden; (3). reduced burden; (4). shifting burden; (5). preeminence of other burdens; and (6). constantly low level of burden. In general, changes in the parents' burden level are closely interconnected with the illness curve of the patients, with 40% of the study participants experiencing a constantly high level of burden during the course of the study. The results suggest that parents of continuously and severely affected patients are overloaded with their long-term caring tasks. Particularly for these extremely strained parents, practical and psychologic assistance should be provided.
Jungbauer
Johannes
J
Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Germany. jungbj@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Wittmund
Bettina
B
Dietrich
Sandra
S
Angermeyer
Matthias C
MC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000451:nursing*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors