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
