A comparison of challenging and positive caregiving experiences for caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders

Abstract

Background: Caregivers of people with serious mental illness experience challenges that may affect their mental health. Few researchers have explored whether positive or negative caregiver experiences differ due to disorder characteristics of the person receiving care. We aimed to determine whether caregiver appraisals and psychological functioning differed between caregivers of those diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum (SSD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Methods: Caregivers of people with SSD and BD participated in an online self-report survey assessing appraisals, distress, anxiety, depression, and psychological wellbeing. Independent samples t-tests and multivariate generalised linear mode..