Perceived Family Burden among the Male & Female Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients-A Comparative Study in Eastern India

Background: Schizophrenia is a major mental illness that can have a broad effect on day to day functioning in social relationship and in the ability to take care of themselves. But it can also have a significant impact on the whole family, requiring substantial time, energy and money to help the family member and increasing stress and tension on a daily basis. Schizophrenia is associated with functional disability and poor socio-occupational functioning of the suffering people which in turn may become a source of great concern and burden to the relatives of the suffering people. Aim & Objective: To asses and examines family burden among the male & female caregivers of schizophrenia patients. Methodology: A total no. of 60 male and female caregivers of schizophrenia patients were selected by using purposive sampling from outdoor patient and indoor patient, MHI, COE, SCBMCH, Cuttack. Odisha. Family Burden Interview Schedule was applied on caregivers. Results: Female caregivers are having more family burden in all domains in comparison to male caregivers of schizophrenia patients