Assessment of Distress and Burden in Australian Private Psychiatric Inpatients

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to examine (i) the extent of the objective and subjective burden of care experienced by carers of individuals attending Australian private psychiatric hospitals, (ii) the degree to which a carer's distress was influenced by the patient's symptoms and the burden of care experienced. Methods: A group of 135 inpatient-carer dyads, for inpatients who attended three Australian private psychiatric clinics, completed measures of distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales) and caregiver burden (Burden Assessment Scale; BAS) during an inpatient admission to a private psychiatric hospital. Results: The level of burden reported by carers was comparable with overseas data. Factor analysis was used to identify the key dimensions of the BAS. The chief concerns of carers related to worries about the patient and disruption to activities. Conclusion: The burden experienced by carers needs to be recognized and addressed to ensure that they are able to continue to provide the care and support required by psychiatric inpatients. Present data are discussed in terms of the best way to support the carers of psychiatric inpatients.