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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

26-05-2022 | Original Paper

Psychotic experiences among informal caregivers: findings from 48 low- and middle-income countries

Authors: Ai Koyanagi, Hans Oh, Jordan DeVylder, Jae Il Shin, Karel Kostev, Lee Smith, Louis Jacob, Guillermo F. López Sánchez, Adel S. Abduljabbar, Josep Maria Haro

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 9/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Informal caregivers may be at high risk for psychotic experiences (PE) due to caregiving related stress, sleep issues, or other potential mechanisms, but this has not been previously investigated in the general adult population. Thus, we examined the association between caregiving and PE, and its mediators, in a large sample of adults from 48 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

Cross-sectional, community-based data from the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Survey were analyzed. Informal caregivers referred to those who provided help to a relative or friend (adult or child) in the past year, because this person has a long-term physical or mental illness or disability, or is getting old and weak. PE were assessed using the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview psychosis screen. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted.

Results

Data on 224,842 individuals were analyzed. The mean (SD) age was 38.3 (16.0) years (range 18–120 years) and 50.7% were females. After adjustment for age, sex, and country, in the overall sample, caregiving was associated with 1.67 (95%CI = 1.56–1.79) times higher odds for PE. Sleep/energy explained the largest proportion of the association between caregiving and PE (13.9%), followed by pain/discomfort (11.5%), perceived stress (7.6%), depression (6.2%), and cognition (3.5%).

Conclusion

Caregivers in LMICs are at higher risk of PE. Future studies are warranted to gain a further understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and to assess whether addressing the identified mediators can lead to lower risk for PE among caregivers.

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Title: Psychotic experiences among informal caregivers: findings from 48 low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Ai Koyanagi
Hans Oh
Jordan DeVylder
Jae Il Shin
Karel Kostev
Lee Smith
Louis Jacob
Guillermo F. López Sánchez
Adel S. Abduljabbar
Josep Maria Haro
Publication date: 26-05-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 9/2022
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02312-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Psychotic experiences among informal caregivers: findings from 48 low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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