Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Caregivers Caring Patients with Psychiatric Disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Psychological distress among caregivers is a global concern. Maintaining psychological well-being of caregivers caring patients with psychiatric disorders is important since patients are not having good insight into managing disease. The study field is not well explored related to the local setting with relates to COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors of depression, anxiety, and stress existing among caregivers who are caring patients with psychiatric disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), during the COVID-19 pandemic Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 385 caregivers attending the NIMH in Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a validated interviewer administered questionnaire consisting of Depression, Stress, and Anxiety scale- 21 items (DASS 21). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-squared test) with SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 39.76(±10.22) years old. The majority were male (62.9%), Sinhalese (92.5%), married (60.5%), and employed (88.1%). Among the respondents, 48% reported normal-level depression (mild–36.4%, moderate–15.1%, severe-0.3%). Anxiety was highly prevalent in considerable proportion (normal–34.8%, mild–22.6%, moderate– 36.1%, severe–5.7%, extremely severe–0.8%). Stress was prevalent in the sample as normal–94 %, mild–5.2%, moderate–0.8% levels. Depression existed as normal–48.3%, mild–36.4%, moderate–15.1% and severe–0.3%. Anxiety, stress and depression were statistically significant with marital status (p<0.001) and anxiety and stress were significantly associated with the level of education (p=0.016). Conclusion: Depression, anxiety and stress were reported at different levels among caregivers of the patients with psychiatric disorders at NIMH during COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological distress was associated with the marital status and the level of education. Measures should be taken to improve the psychological burden with increasing the awareness. Keywords: Anxiety, Caregivers, Nurses, Psychiatric disorders, Psychological distress