A Gender Based Comparative Study on Burden of the Patients with Schizophrenia

Background: Mental illness refers to some alteration in psychological functions which adversely affects an individual's life as well as surrounding environment. Family members of patients with schizophrenia experience high rates of subjective and objective burden which place them at risk for adverse physical health and mental health outcomes. Belief system regarding the causation of mental illness varies in different cultures and such beliefs can stigmatize the community mostly in a negative manner, as a results the coping skills in person with mental illness is poor and after they are labeled differently.. Objectives: To Assess and Compare the Family burden towards mental illness in terms of Gender. Sample: 60 Individuals (30 male individuals and 30 female individuals) have been included from Out Patients Department unit at Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi in a purposive manner. Design: In this study hospital based cross-design was used. Tools: Semi- Structured Socio Demographic datasheet (to collect the relevant socio demographic information), Family burden interview schedule. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS- 20 version). Result: Female caregiver perceive more burden in terms of their disruption of routine family activities and effect on mental health than male counterparts. Keywords: Family burden, schizophrenia and care giver