An exploration of factors which effect mental health of caregivers of schizophrenia patients

This study has carried out as descriptive research an exploration of factors which effect mental health of caregivers of schizophrenia patients. The data for the research was taken, July 2006 through February 2007, from 103 caregivers of the patients from two University Hospitals psychiatry clinic in İzmir and İzmir Schizophrenia Solidarity Association. In gathering the data a factors which effect questionnaire, Scale of the Ways to coping With Stress (S.B.T.Ö) and the General Health Questionnaire (GSA-12) were used. The data was evaluated with number and percentile distribution, t-test, standard deviation analysis, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis test and Pearson correlation analysis. The mean age of the caregivers is X= 56.28, 52.4 % of the caregivers are female and 47.6% of this, is the mother of the patient. The duration of the care giving is 13.15 years. In the study, it was found that, %65 of the caregivers have mental health mortality at high risk. In female caregivers the risk of having a mental health mortality is significantly higher than the risk for male caregivers. A difference is not determined in the mental health of the caregivers according to their degree of the relationship with the patient. The risk of having mental health mortality in the caregivers who participated in training of group wasn?t found to be higher. The risk for having mental health mortality increases with an increase in age and the duration of care giving. Mental health mortality risk is decreased, when caregiver uses self-confidence approach, optimistic approach and social support seeking approach. Mental health mortality risk is increased when caregiver uses helpless and submissive approach. In the study, it was found that, 65% of the caregivers have mental health mortality at high risk. It is recommended to investigate other factors influencing mental health of caregivers and to carry out programs to increase the mental wellness of the caregivers.