Family burden in relatives of schizophrenics and of people with mental retardation: A comparative study

The pattern of family burden was compared in 32 relatives of schizophrenic patients and 32 relatives of people with mental retardation, using a standardised semistructured interview named ''Accertamento della Disabilita e del Carico Familiare'' (Assessment of Disability and Family Burden). There were few quantitative differences between the two samples of relatives, although relatives of schizophrenics presented a tendency for a higher degree of both objective and subjective burden in some areas. Problems frequently reported were the presence of emotional distress, poor social relationships and lack of holidays or free time activities. Relatives of schizophrenics specifically claimed the presence of financial difficulties, while those of people with mental retardation were concerned by problems with neighbours.