A Study to Assess the Level of Burden, Coping Methods and Quality of Life Among Primary Care Givers of Selected Mentally Ill Patients in a Selected Clinic at Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

Background Mental illness in a family member affects the family in different ways especially the primary caregivers life. This study aimed to assess the level of burden, coping methods and quality of life among primary care givers of selected mentally ill patients. Method A survey descriptive study with co relational design was conducted at outpatient department of Dr. M. Rajeswari Clinic, Salem. Results The result of the study showed that out of 60 samples 82 % had moderate burden and 18 % had severe burden, 67 % had good coping and 33 % had average coping and 03 %had poor quality of life, 52 % had average quality of life and 45 % had good quality of life. The correlation between level of burden and coping method and level of burden and quality of life showed -0.510 and -0.483 respectively. The correlation between coping method and quality of life showed 0.360. There was no significant association between the level of burden with their demographic variables such as age, gender, area of residence, religion, type of family, education, occupation, income per month, relationship with client, marital status and duration of care since diagnosed. There was no significant association between coping method with their demographic variables except their type of family. There was no significant association between quality of life with their demographic variables except the duration of caring the patient. Conclusion The findings of the study showed that the primary care givers of mentally ill patients are facing a moderate level of burden, using a good level of coping, and having an averager quality of life in relation to the caring mentally ill patients. There was association between the type of family and the level of coping and duration of caring and quality of life. . There was a positive co relation between the level of coping and quality of life among primary care givers