Pattern and determinants of burden in Chinese families of adults with obsessive–compulsive disorder

The burden on caregivers of patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an important yet under-researched area in the Chinese population. This study aimed to assess the pattern and determinants of burden reported by caregivers of adults with OCD in Hong Kong. Seventy-seven OCD patient–caregiver dyads were recruited from a psychiatric out-patient clinic. Adults were assessed with the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Caregivers were interviewed with the Chinese version of the Family Burden Interview Schedule. Ninety-nine percent of the caregivers experienced objective burden. Mothers of patients with OCD experienced the greatest caregiver subjective burden. Multivariate analysis showed that GAF explained 41.5% and 49.8% of the variance of objective and subjective burden respectively. The functional level of OCD adults was an important determinant of both the objective and subjective burden on caregivers.

► We assessed the pattern and determinants of burden reported by caregivers of adults with obsessive–compulsive disorder.
► Ninety-nine percent of caregivers experienced objective burden.
► Caregivers who were mothers of adults with obsessive–compulsive disorder experienced the greatest subjective burden.
► The functional level of obsessive–compulsive disorder adults is an important determinant of both the objective and subjective burden on caregivers.