PREDICTORS OF BURDEN AMONG LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH CHRONIC MENTAL-ILLNESS

This study uses a stress-coping-support framework to examine the predi ctors of caregiver burden with a sample of 103 lower social class fami ly caregivers of persons with chronic mental illness. Results of multi ple regression analyses show that the greater the frequency of client behavioral symptoms and the lower the amount of perceived support from family members, the higher the level of overall caregiver burden. Exa mination of the predictors of specific types of burden-family disrupti on, stigma, strain, and dependency-reveal that different constellation s of variables predict different types of burden. The need for mental health agencies to address caregiver and client concerns is addressed. Implications are presented for practice and future research.