Factors related to perceived needs of primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness, and sufferers are usually dependent on family, primary caregivers in particular. The present study was designed to assess the perceived needs of caregivers so that adequate services can be provided for them in the community. METHODS A total of 177 primary caregivers were interviewed with the structured burden-and-need schedules to determine their perceived needs, and the related clinical and demographic factors. Fourteen perceived needs were identified and classified into different need clusters using the generalized association plots. A multiple regression of logistic model was adopted to explore the relationships between the related factors and perceived needs. RESULTS Four clusters of perceived needs were identified, which included assistant patient care (77.6%), access to relevant information (66.1%), societal support (68.2%), and burden release (27.2%). These needs were significantly related to number of admissions, duration of illness, relationship between caregiver and patient, and education level of the caregiver. CONCLUSION Four clusters of caregivers' perceived needs were identified and found to be related to psychopathologic and demographic factors. These data are of value in designing appropriate community psychiatric programs to improve the quality of care and enhance the capacity of primary caregivers to care for patients.