The impact of family functioning and expressed emotion on caregiver burden

Year 2017, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 55 - 61, 04.03.2017

Mehmet Alper Cinar Umit Guzelkucuk Yasin Demir Taner Dandinoglu

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.2017.5000190725

Abstract

Objectives. Expressed emotion and family functioning have been reported as negative impacts of the caregiver burden, mostly in mental disorders. There are limited data available to explain how these factors affect caregiver
burden particularly for those caring for rehabilitation patients. In this study, the relationship of family
functioning and expressed emotion with the caregiver burden was examined. Methods. A total of 103 caregivers
with a mean age of 43.1±13.8 years were participated in the study. The caregivers’ demographic data,
psychiatric symptomatology, subjective burden, expressed emotion, and family functioning were assessed
using structured and semi-structured scales. Results. Expressed emotion level (R2=0.361, p<0.001), family
functioning (R2=0.275, p=0.003) and caregiver gender (R2=0.361, p=0.004) were determined as significant
contributory factors with the subjective burden. Conclusion. Psychological intervention programs focused on
both expressed emotion and communication skills in family should be developed to reduce the caregiver burden. 

Keywords

Caregiver burden, expressed emotion, family functioning

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