Burden and coping strategies in mothers of patients with schizophrenia in Japan.

AIM The present study was conducted to identify factors contributing to burden of care in 57 mothers caring for patients with schizophrenia. METHODS Members of the Federation of Families of People with Mental Illness in Nagasaki Prefecture were evaluated using well-validated scales to evaluate burden of care (eight-item short version of the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview), general health status (General Health Questionnaire 12-item version), difficulty in life, coping strategies, emotional support, and understanding of mental illness and disorders. RESULTS Burden of care was significantly associated with general health status and difficulty in life. CONCLUSION On multiple regression it was found that 'social interests' and 'resignation', both of which are the subscales of coping strategies, exerted significant and independent effects with respect to burden of care.