An investigation of depression in carers of hospitalised patients, their life goals and levels of basic psychological needs according to the level of care given

People who are primary caregivers may experience challenges and their mental health may be effected. During these challenging periods both their psychological and physical health may be influenced. While there are studies addressing mental health problems of the caregiver, this study investigates whether on not a number of factors influence the basic psychological needs, life goals and levels of depression of the caregivers of hospitilised patients by taking into account the relationship between their emotional health and their autonomy, competence, unrelated basic psychological needs, ontological well-being and their level of depression. The research subjects were made up of 303 caregivers (201 women, 102 men) between the ages of 16-78. In order to determine the level of care being given the subjects completed the "Caregivers Care Level Inventory". To determine the level of the caregivers' depression, onotological well-being, and basic psychological needs the "Beck Depression Inventory", "Ontological Well-being Inventory" and the "Basic Psychological Needs Inventory" were adminstered. Analysis of results indicated that the basic psychological needs of the caregivers were mediated by their level of depression and ontological well-being. Key Words ; Caregiver, Basic Psychological Needs, Ontological Well-being, Depression, Emotional Health