Caregiver Satisfaction and Its Correlates Among Taiwanese Families Living with Schizophrenia

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of caregiver satisfaction and its determinants in Taiwanese families of individuals with schizophrenia.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlation design was used. Data were collected using questionnaires with a convenience sample of 140 families (243 individual family caregivers) of individuals with schizophrenia. Descriptive statistics and a mixed linear modeling were used for data analysis. Participants were individually interviewed to complete questionnaires regarding demographic information, pile-up of demands, sense of coherence, mutuality, and caregiver satisfaction.

Results: The primary source of caregiver satisfaction was the cared-for person, especially keeping the individual clean, comfortable, and well turned out. In interpersonal dynamics, family caregivers mostly rooted their source of satisfaction in their way of expressing love to the cared-for person. As for satisfaction relating to the family caregiver, the majority of the family caregivers expressed being satisfied with fulfilling sense of duty. Female caregivers, greater sense of coherence, and increased mutuality were found to significantly increase caregiver satisfaction.

Conclusions: Family caregivers living with schizophrenia may have positive experiences. Supportive interventions need to focus on tapping into amplifying resiliency factors (e.g., sense of coherence and mutuality) and promoting the sense of satisfaction with caregiving for assisting family caregivers.