Assessment of Psychosocial Aspects in the Parents of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder Patients

Background: Schizophrenia as well as bipolar affective disorder both are disabling illnesses, as such the patient requires much care and attention. This places a considerable degree of burden on the caregivers. Aim: Many studies undertaken in India have measured the burden experienced by the caregivers in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder separately. Thus the aim of the present study is to assess and compare the quality of life and depression in the parents (as caregivers) of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. Sample: The sample was consisting of 30 parents of schizophrenic patients, 30 parents of patients with bipolar affective disorder and 30 parents of normal control subjects were selected with the help of purposive sampling method. Parents of both genders were included in the study. Tools: Tools used were GHQ 12, WHO Quality of Life and BDI. Result and Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that parents of schizophrenia patients and BPAD patients showed poor quality of life as well as depressive symptoms in comparison to parents of normal control subjects. Parents of schizophrenia patients as well as parents of bipolar affective disorder patients exhibited.