The Effect of Psychopathology and Cognitive Functions on Caregiver Burden in Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective: The caregiver burden in the relatives of patients with schizophrenia increases mental health problems in patients, complicates coping with the illness for families, and adversely affects the course of the illness. This study aims to investigate the effects of patients' psychopathology severity and cognitive functions on caregiver burden. Method: Forty-four patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 and their primary caregivers were included in this cross-sectional descriptive study. The severity of the caregiver burden in the relatives of the patients was evaluated using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS). Symptom severity of the patients was evaluated with the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Test, Trail Making Test (TMT), and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were applied to assess the cognitive functions of the patients. Results: The mean ZCBS score was 47.7 +/- 26.9 in the primary caregivers of the patients. There was a significant negative correlation between ZCBS and patients' education level, time since recent hospitalization, and RAVLT scores, and a significant positive correlation between TMT, Stroop Test, and SANS scores. Conclusion: To reduce the caregiver burden, psychosocial interventions for cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms involving patients and their families should be considered a priority.