title: Determinants of burden in caregivers of patients with exacerbating schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Restriction in involuntary hospital admission and reduced lengths of inpatient stay increase burden on relatives of individuals with schizophrenia. This study aims at assessing the relationship between caregiver burden and behavioural disturbances of the affected, e.g. threats, nuisances, but also substance use and aggression. Two weeks before the last hospitalisation of the affected are considered as being the most burdensome period for relatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four relatives of schizophrenic patients were assessed by the semi-structured "Interview for Measuring the Burden on the Family". Subscales and total scales of burden were calculated. Predictors were identified by regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most important predictor of burden is burden in the relationship between caregiver and the affected representing the changes in the relationship occurring in acute illness. Threats, nuisances, time spent with the affected, and burden due to restricted social life and leisure activities were additional predictors, but not aggression or substance abuse. Eighty-five percent of the cases could be assigned correctly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To better encounter burden, relatives should learn to cope with disturbing behaviour of and altered relationship to the affected, but also with their own needs. Finally, relatives must be included in the decision whether or not an affected person should be hospitalised.
authors: Psychiatric University Hospital, Militärstrasse 8, P.O. Box 19030, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland. christoph.lauber@puk.zh.ch
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Lauber
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Eichenberger
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Luginbühl
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Keller
authors: Wulf
authors: W
authors: Rössler
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013557:Switzerland