JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Individual caregivers of people with schizophrenia often face significant stress owing to the demands of caregiving and the complexity of managing mental health disorders

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the factors contributing to caregiver stress using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM)

Methods:

This study used a quantitative research design to identify the determinants of caregiver stress among individuals with schizophrenia. The sample for this study consisted of 110 caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia, who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach

Results:

The results of this test show that the PLS model proposed in this study has a high predictive power. The validation of the PLS model met the high predictive power requirement. The overall model evaluation with R square, Q square, SRMR, and PLS Predict indicates that the PLS model proposed in this study is acceptable. Several environmental, situational, and individual characteristic factors have different influences on the stress levels of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. From an environmental perspective, access to information does not significantly affect stress, while social support significantly reduces stress and stigma significantly increases stress. From a situational aspect, a high burden significantly increases stress, while non-compliance, coping, and knowledge show varying results, where only knowledge significantly reduces stress. individual characteristics, such as caregiving duration, employment, education, and age, do not have a significant influence on stress levels.

Conclusions:

These findings highlight the importance of social support, stigma reduction, and increased knowledge of efforts to manage caregivers' stress