The effect of support group participation on caregiver burden among parents of adult offspring with severe mental illness

The purpose of this study was to determine whether parents participating in 14 National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-affiliated support groups in Illinois had significantly lower caregiver burden than a comparision group of parents not participating in support groups. Respondents included 120 parents: 86 participants and 34 nonparticipants. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that caregiver burden was significantly lower among support group participants, those with lower depression, and those whose offspring had fewer unmet needs and days hospitalized.