title: Experience of Caregiving and Coping in Caregivers of Schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Caregivers of schizophrenia play a major role in community-based care of patients. Recent studies have shed light on positive aspects of caregiving, in contrast to caregiving burden. There is limited research in this area in India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the "experience of caregiving" and "coping strategies" in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia, and to study associations, if any, between them.
  
  
  METHODS
  102 caregivers of out- and in-patients with schizophrenia were assessed on the "Experience of Caregiving Inventory" (ECI) and "COPE Inventory" (COPE). Sociodemographic profiles of patients and caregivers, and clinical histories of patients were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum perceived negative experience of caregiving was "effects on family" while "stigma" was the lowest. Other domains had moderate scores. Among positive experiences, "good aspects of relationship" scored higher than "positive personal experiences." A wide range of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies were used. Statistically significant positive correlations emerged between positive experiences of caregiving and adaptive coping strategies, and between negative experiences of caregiving and maladaptive coping strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association between experiences of caregiving and coping strategies suggests that caregiving experiences are influenced not only by the illness but also by the coping methods employed. Helping caregivers cope better might improve caregiving experience.
authors.forename: Nimisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Doval
authors.forename: Eesha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Adarsh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nischal
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000451:nursing*; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Caregivers; Coping; Experience of Caregiving; Schizophrenia