Relatives of Inpatients Suffering from Severe Depression: Their Burden and Encounters with the Psychiatric Health Services

Abstract

The aim was to investigate relatives of inpatients with severe depression - their perceptions of encountering psychiatric specialist health services and their degree of burden. Sixty-eight relatives recruited via hospital wards and community specialist health centers responded to a questionnaire, with questions from the Quality from the Patients Perspective modified to relatives and the Burden Assessment Scale. Relatives recruited via community specialist health centers perceived less received information and support than those recruited via hospital wards. Higher burden was reported among relatives receiving less information and support than they needed from the psychiatric specialist health services. Healthcare professionals are recommended to give relatives the information and support according to their needs.