Assessment of Burden and Stress in the Parents of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder Patients

Background: Schizophrenia as well as bipolar affective disorder are disabling illnesses those place a considerable degree of burden and stress on the caregivers. Aim: Many studies under taken in India have measured the burden and stress experienced by the caregivers in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder separately. Thus the aim of the present study is to assess and compare the burden and stress in the parents (as caregivers) of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. Sample: The sample was consisting of 40 parents of schizophrenic patients and 40 parents of patients with bipolar affective disorder were selected with the help of purposive sampling method. Parents of both genders was included in the study. Tools: Tools used were Family Burden Interview Schedule and Perceived Stress Index. Result and Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicates that parents of schizophrenia patients and BPAD patients showed low burden in comparison to the parents of schizophrenia parents in terms of Financial burden, Disruption of routine family activities, Disruption of routine family leisure, Disruption of family interaction, Effect on physical health and Effect on mental health. In stress it has been clear from the table that the parents of BPAD patients had less stress in comparison to the parents of schizophrenia patients in terms of Perceived Stress.