Resilience, depression and burnout levels in caregivers of patients followed in the forensic psychiatry service

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It is known that psychiatric diseases also affect the quality of life of patients' relatives. The aim of this study is to examine the level of resilience, depression and burnout of the caregivers of forensic psychiatry patients in order to recognize the mental problems that may be experienced by relatives of forensic psychiatry patients who have committed crimes in addition to psychiatric illness. METHODS: 90 high-security forensic psychiatry patient relatives were included in the study. Sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Adult Resilience Scale (RSA) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were administered to all participants. RESULTS: BDI score of caregivers was 10.8+-7.7, RSA-total 99.8+-12.5, emotional burnout score from MBI subscales 22.5+-3.4, depersonalization score 9.4+-2.2, personal success score was determined as 16.8+-5.4. There was a significant difference between the duration of caregiving in terms of BDI score (p<0.01). The BDI score of the caregivers of the patients with criminal liability was found to be significantly higher than the score of the caregivers of the patients without criminal liability (p< 0.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: : It was observed that the level of psychological resilience was good in people who took care of psychiatric patients who were subjected to forensic psychiatric examination, but they had mild depression and moderate burnout. It is seen that the relatives of the patients are affected psychologically and the necessary psychosocial support can be positive for the caregivers.

Keywords

• forensic psychiatry
• caregiver
• resilience
• depression
• burnout