Testing the caregiver stress model with the primary caregivers of schizophrenic patients

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Psikoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2011

Öğrenci: ÖZLEM KONAĞ

Danışman: ÖZLEM BOZO ÖZEN

Özet:

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the stressors of caregiving for a schizophrenic patient and related outcomes. The Caregiver Stress Model was used as the conceptual framework for the current study. The sample of the study was composed of 98 Turkish caregivers of schizophrenic patients who were treated at psychiatry clinics of hospitals in Ankara. Twelve mediation models were tested using marital satisfaction and social support as mediators. The models contained primary stressor (basic needs), secondary stressor (activities of living), and intrapsychic strain (parental efficacy) as independent variables; and depression and general psychological health as dependent variables. The results suggested both social support and marital satisfaction as significant mediators of the relationships of both primary and secondary stressors with the outcome variables; however, social support and marital satisfaction were not significant mediators of the relationships between parental efficacy and outcome variables. The significant implications and limitations of the study were also discussed.