title: Relationship of quality of life with coping and burden in primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Very few studies have evaluated the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers of schizophrenia patients. The aim of this paper is to study the QOL, including the spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs (SRPB) facets, of primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia using the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-SRPB scales. Additionally an attempt was made to study the relationship between QOL with coping and burden in caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia completed the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-SRPB scales. They were also assessed on the Family Burden Interview Schedule and Coping Checklist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant associations of clinical variables and perceived burden with any of the WHOQOL-BREF domains and various WHOQOL-SRPB facets. There was a significant positive correlation between WHOQOL-BREF and various facets of WHOQOL-SRPB. There was a significant negative correlation between coercion as a coping strategy and the spiritual strength facet of WHOQOL-SRPB. Seeking social support as a coping strategy had a negative correlation with all domains of WHOQOL-BREF, whereas avoidance and use of problem-focused coping had no correlation with any of the domains of WHOQOL-BREF. Collusion as a coping skill had a negative correlation with the domains of physical health, social relationships and environment and the total WHOQOL-BREF score. Coercion as a coping strategy had a negative correlation with the general health and environment domains of WHOQOL-BREF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings of the present study suggest that there is a positive correlation between WHOQOL-BREF domains and WHOQOL-SRPB facets, which indicates that SRPB forms an integral component of the concept of QOL. Further, the QOL of caregivers is influenced by the coping skills used to deal with stress arising due to a patient's illness.
authors.affiliation: 1Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kate
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: Parmanand
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kulhara
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nehra
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Quality of life; caregivers; schizophrenia