title: Caregiver burden and distress following the patient's discharge from psychiatric hospital.
abstract: Aims and methodCaring for someone with a mental illness is increasingly occurring within the community. As a result, family members who fulfil a caregiving role may experience substantial levels of burden and psychological distress. This study investigates the level of burden and psychological distress reported by caregivers after the patient's admission.ResultsThis study found that the overall level of burden and psychological distress experienced by caregivers did not differ according to the patient's legal status. However, the caregivers of those who were voluntarily admitted supervised the person to a significantly greater extent than the caregivers of those who were involuntarily admitted. Approximately 15% of caregivers revealed high levels of psychological distress.Clinical implicationsThis study may emphasise a need for mental health professionals to examine the circumstances of caregivers, particularly of those caring for patients who are voluntarily admitted, a year after the patient's admission.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ranieri
authors.affiliation: Cluain Mhuire Community Mental Health Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madigan
authors.affiliation: DETECT, Early Intervention for Psychosis Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGuinness
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bainbridge
authors.affiliation: Cluain Mhuire Community Mental Health Service, Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Larkin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feeney
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hallahan
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colm
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue