INSTRUMENTS MEASURING FAMILY OR CAREGIVER BURDEN IN SEVERE MENTAL-ILLNESS

The consequences of psychiatric disorders for family members, usually called family or caregiver burden, have been studied during the last 4 decades. During this period a variety of instruments have been develo ped to measure the impact of mental illness on family members, but not all instruments have been described systematically in the published l iterature. The authors review 21 instruments that have been used or de veloped during the last 10 years, including several that have not prev iously been reported. The protocols are described in terms of their me thod and comprehensiveness, precursors and theoretical foundations, an d types of psychometric information available. The instruments are ass essed for potential use as research tools, and also for application in routine clinical practice.