Relationship between anxiety and poor sleep quality in family caregivers of psychiatric patients based on history of sharp object injuries: a case-control study in Bitlis, Turkey

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety levels and poor sleep quality among family caregivers of psychiatric patients, based on the history of sharp object injuries (SOI) inflicted by the patients.Design A case-control study.Setting and data The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with family caregivers of patients at the Bitlis Province Community Mental Health Center and Bitlis State Hospital Psychiatry Service between December 2021 and May 2022.Participants A total of 111 family caregivers participated in the study.Outcome measures The sleep quality of family caregivers was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, while anxiety levels were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).Results Among family caregivers, 52.3% had poor sleep quality, 24.3% experienced moderate anxiety and 31.5% experienced severe anxiety. An increase of one point on the anxiety scale (measured by BAI) raised the odds of poor sleep by 14%. The anxiety-poor sleep relationship was stronger in SOI-exposed caregivers (r=0.699) than in non-exposed ones (r=0.607). When age was controlled, the relationship strengthened among SOI-exposed individuals (r=0.722) but remained unchanged for non-exposed ones (r=0.608).Conclusions This study shows that each point increase on the anxiety scale is associated with a 14% increase in the odds of poor sleep among family caregivers of psychiatric patients. The relationship between anxiety level and poor sleep quality was further elevated among individuals exposed to SOI. Providing family caregivers of psychiatric patients, especially those exposed to SOI, with coping strategies and sleep hygiene training can improve their anxiety and sleep quality and assist in managing the care process.