[Burden of relatives of chronic psychiatric patients].

Unlabelled: This study aimed at the systematic assessment of the burden imposed on the relatives of mentally ill persons. A postal survey was carried out on a sample drawn from the members of the Federal Association of Relatives of the Mentally ill (n = 557).

Results: Almost one third of those questioned experienced the care for their relatives as a heavy burden, a further third said that the burden was moderate. Among the negative consequences, health impairment was cited most often. Two-thirds of the participants reported constraints on their everyday life and the organisation of their leisure time. A (partly considerable) financial burden was cited with similar frequency. Further, the illness had a negative impact on the personal relationships of the caregivers. A quarter of the sample had lost touch with other family members. The same was found with regard to contact with friends. One-third reported discrimination by their environment.

Conclusions: The results emphasize the necessity of creating opportunities to relieve some of the burden on relatives.