THE EXPERIENCE OF CAREGIVING AMONG MOTHERS OF ADULTS SUFFERING FROM PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS - FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS

To identify correlates of psychological distress among multiple indica tors, 99 women with adult children suffering from a psychotic disorder were interviewed. The women, who were recruited through hospitals and self-help groups, represented different socioeconomic levels. A face- to-face standardized interview was conducted, mainly in the participan ts' homes. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis showed that dimen sions of burden and social support were strongly associated with distr ess reported by the participants. The negative interactions that parti cipants had with their main confidant or spouse constituted a more pow erful correlate than their perception of the quality of this relations hip. Furthermore, a perception of their own health as poorer is a stro ng correlate of their distress. Since no control group was studied sim ultaneously, these results suggest, but do not prove, the presence of differences between mothers of adults with psychotic disorders and oth er mothers.