Factors Influencing The Caregiving Burden Of Family Members Of Depressed Patients And Psychological Intervention Study

ObjectiveTo understand the current caregiving burden of caregivers of depressed patients,to compare the differences in caregiving burden among different demographic characteristics,and to analyze the factors influencing the caregiving burden of family members of depressed patients,to explore the intervention effects of group psychotherapy on the caregiving burden of family members of depressed patients in terms of both caregiving burden and psychological health,so as to provide a reasonable basis for health care professionals to reduce the caregiving burden of caregivers and to restore the psychological health of caregivers This will provide a scientific basis for healthcare professionals to reduce caregiving burden and restore caregivers’ psychological health.MethodsThe study was divided into two parts as follows.1.To explore the caregiving burden of family members of depressed patients and its influencing factors.A cross-sectional questionnaire was used as the research method to randomly select 180 cases of family caregivers of depressed patients who were admitted to a hospital in Harbin from September 2021 to February 2022 for a survey based on selfdesigned general demographic data questionnaire,Zarit Burden of Caregiving Scale(ZBI),Social Support Rate Scale(SSRS),and the Zarit Burden of Caregiving Scale(ZBI).Social Support Rate Scale(SSRS)to evaluate the caregiving burden of patients’ family members and its influencing factors.2.The intervention effects of group psychotherapy on the caregiving burden and mental health of the families of depressed patients.Caregivers of family members of depressed patients admitted to a hospital in Harbin from September 2021 to February 2022 were randomly selected for the survey and divided into a group(101 patients,11 patients lost after6 weeks)and a control group(105 patients,15 patients lost after 6 weeks)for the study.6weeks of intervention therapy with a weekly duration of 60 min was implemented for the group,and the control group was given general mental health education.The Zarit Burden Interview(ZBI),Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),and Zung Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS)were administered to the two groups before and after the intervention.After statistical analysis,we determined whether group psychotherapy had significant intervention effects on the caregiving burden and mental health of depressed patients’ families.Results1.The total score of caregiving burden of depressed family members(33.53±22.75).The caregiving burden of patients’ family members differed significantly(P<0.05)in terms of monthly medical expenses,gender of caregivers,and average daily caregiving hours by patient.Logistic regression analysis of the heavy burden variables using the forward stepwise method showed ORs >1(P<0.05)for children,ORs >1(P<0.01)for siblings,ORs >1(P<0.05)for the need for companionship during patient remission,and among the average daily hours of care for patients(relative to less than 4 hours)6 to 8 hours and more than 8 hours OR>1(P<0.01),and OR<1(P<0.01)for utilization of social support.2.Caregiver burden of care,SAS scores,and SDS scores were significantly lower after the group psychotherapy intervention,with significant differences(P<0.05),and the rate of reduction was lower than that of the control group.Conclusion1.The overall caregiving burden of family members of depressed patients was at a mild level.The gender of the caregiver,the average daily caregiving hours,and the monthly medical expenses of the patient were the main factors affecting the caregiving burden.2.The need for companionship during patient remission,caregivers being the patient’s children,siblings,and average daily caregiving hours(relative to less than 4 hours)of 6 to 8hours and more than 8 hours were risk factors,and the utilization of social support was a protective factor.The need for companionship during remission,the fact that the caregiver was the patient’s child or sibling,and the fact that the average daily caregiving hours(relative to less than 4 hours)were 6-8 hours and more than 8 hours were more likely to develop severe burden,and the higher the utilization of social support was less likely to develop severe burden.3.Family caregivers of depressed patients in this study experienced significant reductions in caregiving burden and levels of anxiety and depression after receiving a sixweek group psychotherapy intervention.The group psychotherapy intervention was effective in alleviating the negative emotions of the patient’s family caregivers,reducing the caregiving burden of the patient’s family caregivers and improving the mental health of the patient’s family caregivers.