Predictors of Depressive Symptomatology Among Lower Social Class Caregivers of Persons with Chronic Mental Illness

This study examined the predictors of depressive symptomatology among caregivers of persons with chronic mental illness. Data were collected through in-person interviews with family caregivers of 103 adults with chronic mental illness who were served by mental health case management agencies. The results indicated that insufficiency of overall social support was the most powerful predictor of caregiver depressive symptomatology. In addition, caregiver burden had a significant unique contribution to caregiver depressive symptomatology, with higher levels of burden associated with greater levels of caregiver depressive symptomatology. Higher levels of client behavioral problems and insufficient support from family members and mental health professionals related to the caregiving role were associated with higher levels of caregiver depressive symptomatology through their associations with care-giver burden. Caregiver race was not significantly related to caregiver burden or to caregiver depressive symptomatology after controlling for other variables. Over two-fifths of White caregivers and over one-quarter of Black caregivers were at risk for clinical depression. Implications for practice and research are discussed.