title: Caregiver burden and coping: a prospective study of relationship between burden and coping in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Caregivers of patients of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder (BAD) experience considerable burden while caring their patients. They develop different coping strategies to deal with this burden. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the relationship between caregiver burden and coping.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was conducted to assess relationship between burden and coping in caregivers of clinically stable patients with schizophrenia and BAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients each of schizophrenia and BAD attending a psychiatric outpatient setting and their caregivers were followed up for a period of 6 months. Burden and coping strategies were assessed in the caregivers at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months using the Burden Assessment Schedule (BAS) and Ways of Coping Checklist - Hindi Adaptation (WCC - HA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Burden remained stable over 6 months and was comparable in the two groups of caregivers. Caregivers from both the groups were found to use problem focused coping strategies more often than seek social support and avoidance strategies. Scores on avoidance type of coping showed a positive correlation with the total burden scores and a number of burden factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregivers of patients of schizophrenia and BAD face similar levels of burden and use similar types of coping methods to deal with it. Relationship between caregiver burden and coping is quite complex.
authors: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India. drrakeshchadda@hotmail.com
authors: Rakesh K
authors: RK
authors: Chadda
authors: Tej B
authors: TB
authors: Singh
authors: Kalyan K
authors: KK
authors: Ganguly
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D018596:Hinduism; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological
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