Overload of relatives of psychiatric patients: an integrative review

Objective: To identify and analyze studies in the literature that evaluated the burden of psychiatric patients relatives through Family Burden Evaluation Scale. Method: The articles search was performed in the LILACS and PubMed databases, following inclusion criteria: studies published in the period from 2002 to 2012, with full text and studies with adult humans, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish languages. Results: Ten articles indicated that family members with higher levels of overolad are those closest to the patient and living in conditions of social vulnerability. Conclusion: It is hoped that this study contributes to rethink the public politics on mental health, assist managers and employees of substitute services to cope with the theme of family burden, reflecting quality of life for patients and families. Descriptors: Family, Deinstitutionalization, Mental health.