Level of caregiver burden among relatives of the mentally ill in South Verona

Identifying the burden of care on relatives of the mentally ill remains an integral part of research in community psychiatric services. The present st udy aimed to assess the level and extent of burden on relatives in South Ve rona (northeast Italy). The South Verona catchment area provides a comprehe nsive, community-based psychiatric service with minimal reliance on the hos pital. Patients were selected from the South Verona Psychiatric Case Regist er and 40 of their relatives were interviewed using structured assessments measuring objective burden, patient behaviour, coping strategies, satisfact ion and needs for services. Both positive and negative aspects of burden we re apparent, 92% of relatives continued to maintain contact with friends/re latives, 72% had no change to their family income, and 52% could manage any household disruptions during a crisis. The main negative effects for relat ives included reduced leisure activities (57%) and psychological problems ( 67%). The greatest burden was on relatives of patients who were male (P = 0 .016), unemployed (P = 0.013) and diagnosed with psychosis (P = 0.041). The implications of employment for patients and its association with lower lev els of caregiver burden are discussed. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et m edicales Elsevier SAS.