Mental Disorders Caregiver Burden and Stress during Covid-19 Pandemic

This study explored the burden and stress of caregivers who take care for patients with mental disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic. A caregiver is considered one of the family members who cared for families with mental disorders but also experienced burdens and stress, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research used qualitative approach with interpretive phenomenology as paradigm. Held in December 2020-January 2021, a sample of 12 informants was selected by purposive sampling, criteria included having experience caring for patients a healthy, voluntary informant, and able to describe their experiences well. The research instrument used in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed by maintaining the authenticity of phenomena, investigating experiences, reflecting on essential themes, and describing and rewriting phenomena. This study resulted in three themes representing the burden and stress of caregivers in caring for patients with mental disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic: behavior as a stressor, the economic burden of the Covid-19 pandemic, and symptoms of perceived stress. Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic affected the burden and stress of caregivers who cared for schizophrenia patients beyond the usual situation. Therefore, this study implicated that caregivers for mental disorders need the knowledge to understand and manage their stress and burden.