A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS PERCEIVED RELATIONSHIPS WITH MENTAL-HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Objective: Family caregivers' relationships with mental health profess ionals who provided care for their mentally ill relative were examined to identify changes in types of contacts and levels of satisfaction o ver time and differences among caregiver groups. Methods: White zipper -middle-class members of a family support group were surveyed by mail in 1991 to obtain information about their contacts with mental health professionals and their opinions about needed supports and services. D ata from the 1991 survey were compared with data from a similar group of caregivers surveyed in 1983 and from a 1990-1991 study of white and black caregivers in lower socioeconomic groups. Results: The analysis showed that a significant minority of caregivers continue to be dissa tisfied with their contacts with mental health professionals. The 1991 survey found that professionals did not actively involve caregivers i n the treatment of their mentally ill family member, and caregivers ra nked more communication with professionals as their greatest need. Few differences were found between caregiver groups in types of professio nal contact or levels of satisfaction. However, caregivers in the lowe r socioeconomic groups in the 1990-1991 study received more advice fro m professionals than did support group members in the 1991 survey, and black caregivers were significantly more satisfied with professional contacts than support group members in the 1991 survey Conclusions: Pa rtnerships between family caregivers and mental health professionals m ust be developed and nurtured to address caregivers' unmet needs.