Relationship between Perceived Stress and Coping among Caregivers of Patient with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Caring for a family member with a mental illness can be a strenuous and are responsible

for day to day needs of the patient which is done meticulously with adequate supervision. The principal

investigator intended to investigate the relationship between stress and coping among caregivers of patient

with schizophrenia.

Materials and Method: A total of 75 caregivers were included in the study. The tools used for this study are

Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) 14 items was developed by Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., &Mermelstein, R. (1983).

and the coping checklist has 70 items developed by Rao, Subbhakrishna and Prabhu (1989). which cover a

wide range of behavioral, cognitive and emotional responses that may used to handle stress.

Results: The study findings shows that there was a significant association between age and perceived stress

and coping.Perceived stress had significant association with educational qualification, type of family and

monthly family income. Coping had significant association with occupation, social support and relationship

with the patient. This association is statistically highly significant at p <0.000 level.The Study reveals a

significant positive correlation between perceived stress and coping (r = 0.529).

Conclusion: The mental health care professionals to be actively involved inprevention of mental illness and

promotion of mental health through the assessment of stress perceived by thecaregivers of mentally ill in

order to help them to be resilient and use more constructive coping strategies in stressful situations.