Objective: To determine levels and correlates of caregiver burden among caregivers of children and
adolescents with psychiatric morbidity.
Method: Over a period of four months, a total of 252 caregivers of children and adolescents with
psychiatric morbidity were recruited. Data on socio-demographic factors, psychiatric morbidity among
caregivers, and level of caregiver burden was collected using a researcher-designed socio-demographic
questionnaire, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and Zarit burden interview, respectively.
Data was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.
Results: Females (n = 211, 83.7%) and mothers (n = 182, 72.2%) accounted for the majority of the
study participants. The majority of caregivers reported moderate to severe caregiver burden; (n = 100,
39.7%). Being single or separated (B = −6.91, p = 0.001, β = −0.18) and presence of psychiatric morbidity
(B = 7.44, p = 0.009, β = 0.22) in the caregiver significantly contributed to the high levels of caregiver
burden.
Conclusion: Caregivers of children and adolescents with psychiatric morbidity suffer high levels of
caregiver burden. A multidisciplinary approach to management of children with psychiatric morbidity
to address challenges faced by the caregivers may alleviate the burden; thereby improving clinical
outcomes of children and adolescents with psychiatric morbidity.

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