The Impact of Coping Strategies on Burden of Care in Chronic Schizophrenic Patients and Caregivers of Chronic Bipolar Patients

Objectives: One of the principle of mental health programs is burden and coping of caregivers of chronically mental disorders patients. In this regard, the aim of present study was to measure the amount of burden and relationship between burden and their coping strategies of caregivers. Methods: One hundred of main caregivers of patients (50 schizophrenic patients, 50 bipolar patients) from both Razi psychiatric hospital and clinic were enrolled to the study. The instruments were FBIS (Family Burden Interview Schedule) as well as Weintraub coping strategies check list (COPE). Chisquare, Pearson correlation coefficient and t-test were used for data analysis. Results: The study showed that the mean of burden in caregivers of chronic schizophrenic patients was significantly (P