A longitudinal study of the health and wellbeing of culturally and linguistically diverse caregivers of people with psychosis in Australia.

Background: Despite Australia being an ethnically diverse country, there are limited longitudinal studies of the health and wellbeing of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) carers of people with psychosis. An Australian population-based survey found that 22.7% of carers of people with mental disorders were born overseas.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the demographic profile, social connectedness, psychological health, quality of life, grief and caregiving consequences of CALD carers of people with psychosis over 12 months.

Method: This longitudinal study utilised a prevalence survey design and recruited 52 CALD carers who were born in 24 countries outside Australia. A series of validated instruments were administered to assess carer health and wellbeing.

Results: Descriptive and inferential analysis of the results suggested that CALD carers experienced social isolation (34.7%), psychological distress (28.9%), moderate grief and caregiving consequences and poorer quality of life than the general population. Younger CALD carers and spouse carers experienced greater negative caregiving consequences than other kinship or friend carers. There were no significant changes in these outcomes over the 12-month period of the study.

Conclusion: Ethnic-sensitive interventions are needed to better support CALD carers experiencing negative caregiving consequences, especially younger carers or spouses, within the current level of service provision.