Clinical Research Directory

Psychological Resilience and Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia

Sponsor: Assiut University

Summary

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic psychiatric disorder that requires long-term care management, placing family members who serve as informal caregivers under substantial psychological, physical, and financial strain. While caregiver burden, anxiety, and depression are well-documented challenges in this population, psychological resilience can serve as an essential protective buffer against chronic stress. This study aims to evaluate the levels of psychological resilience and Quality of Life (QoL) among family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia compared to a matched control group of caregivers of healthy individuals. This observational case-control study will be conducted at the Neuropsychiatry Department (inpatient wards and outpatient clinics) of Assiut University Hospital in Assiut, Egypt. Primary informal caregivers aged 18 to 65 years who reside with and care for a patient clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia (DSM-5 / ICD-11 criteria) for at least 6 months will be compared to matched caregivers of healthy individuals recruited from the community. Participants will undergo structured face-to-face clinical interviews to assess: * Quality of Life: Evaluated across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). * Psychological Resilience: Measurement of individual coping ability, personal competence, and adaptability under stress. * Caregiver Burden: Quantified using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). * Psychiatric Distress: Clinician-administered assessment of anxiety severity via the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and depressive symptoms via the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). The findings aim to identify sociodemographic and clinical predictors influencing caregiver well-being and provide evidence to guide targeted psychosocial support and intervention programs.

Official title: Psychological Resilience and Quality of Life Among Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia: A Case Control Study

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