A comparative study of caregiver burden and stigma among the caregivers of patients with dementia and schizophrenia

Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of stigma faced by the caregivers of patients with dementia. The secondary objective was to evaluate the association of stigma faced by the caregivers with caregiver burden and compare the stigma and caregiver burden encountered by the caregivers of patients with dementia and schizophrenia. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study, 50 patients with dementia and their caregivers and 50 patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers. Diagnosis of both the disorders was made as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Revision. The study participants were assessed on the Stigma Scale for caregivers of people with mental illness and family burden interview schedule. Results: Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia had been in the caregiver role for a longer duration and were not on paid employment. Caregivers of patients with dementia were more often children of the patients. Caregivers of patients with dementia reported a significantly lower level of stigma in all the domains as well as reported lower total stigma score. The significant difference persisted even after controlling for demographic and caregiving variables. Similarly, caregivers of patients with schizophrenia reported a significantly higher level of burden on all the domains, except for effect on the domain of mental health of others which persisted even after controlling for demographic and caregiving variables. Conclusion: Caregivers of patients with dementia experience a lower level of stigma and caregiver burden, compared to patients with schizophrenia even after controlling for different confounding variables.