Quality of life in caregivers of persons with mental retardation and chronic schizophrenia: A comparative study

Introduction: The caregivers of persons with chronic psychiatric disability experience considerable amount of burden leading to a poor quality of life (QoL). Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the QoL of caregivers of persons with mental retardation and compare them with caregivers of persons with chronic schizophrenia. Method: The sample comprised of 30 caregivers of patients with mental retardation and 35 caregivers of chronic schizophrenia patients. After informed consent, the caregivers were assessed on a semi structured socio-demographic proforma and Hindi version of WHOQoL Bref (World Health Organization Quality of Life – Bref). The patients were assessed using SOFAS (Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale). Results: The scores of caregivers of persons with mental retardation were not significantly different from caregivers of chronic schizophrenia. Female gender and lower socio-economic status was associated with poor quality of life among schizophrenia caregivers. Conclusion: The findings should be considered while planning intervention services for the caregivers of the persons with schizophrenia and intellectual disability.