A Cross-Sectional Survey of Employment Status in Patients with Schizophrenia and its Association with Caregivers’ Burden and Quality of Life
- Author:
SEMRAN KB
;
WOON LS
;
MARHANI M
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
caregivers;
employment;
quality of life;
schizophrenia
- From:Medicine and Health
2019;14(2):189-202
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Employment among patients with schizophrenia is known to positively influence
patients’ recovery. In their crucial supporting role for patients, caregivers’ burden
of care and quality of life may also be influenced by the employment status of
patients. This study aimed to investigate the association between employment
among patients with schizophrenia and burden and quality of life (QOL) of their
caregivers. It was a cross-sectional survey among the primary caregivers of patients
meeting DSM-IV-TR’s diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia who were under
outpatient or community care at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta. Socio-demographic
data, including patients’ employment status, were collected. The Burden on Family
Interview Schedule (BFS) and the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaires were
used to evaluate caregiver burden and quality of life, respectively. Altogether, 201
primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia participated. Most caregiver
burden was experienced in the aspects of finance and routine family activities.
There was significant association between patient employment status (p<0.001),
salary (p<0.001), duration of employment (p<0.001), and type of employment
(p<0.001) with the level of caregiver burden. Caregivers of employed patients
also had better QOL in the mental health aspect with significantly better mental
component scores for SF-36 compared to the unemployed group (mean scores:
51.83 vs. 47.99, p<0.001). Supported employment programmes for patients with
schizophrenia may also benefit their caregivers by reducing burden and improving
quality of life.
- Full text:22.2019my0018.pdf
