Efficacy of Nursing Interventions in Family Burden among Individuals Suffering from Neurotic Disorders

Background: Individuals suffering from neurosis do suffer from family burden similar to that of psychoses. Though understanding of burden in neurosis is essential in appropriate management of the clients, the relevant interventional studies are very limited.

Aim: The present study is an attempt to evaluate the effect of nursing interventions in reducing family burden among neurotic patients. Methodology: 60 neurotic patients diagnosed as per ICD 10 criteria were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups followed by pre assessment by interview schedule for the assessment of the burden on the family of psychiatric patients developed by Pai and Kapur (1981). 10 sessions of nursing intervention; among which, 3 were individual sessions with clients, 5 sessions with clients and family members and 2 sessions with small group of clients with similar problems were administered to the nursing intervention group and non nursing intervention group received the routine drug treatment at rural community mental health centre, NIMHANS, Bangalore. The post assessment was carried out first, second, and the third month followed by the nursing intervention.

Results: The findings revealed statistically significant reduction in family burden. A community based psychosocial intervention lead by community health nurses catering to the needs of neurotic patients is indicated by the results.

Conclusion: In the present study it is observed that nursing intervention group had more improvement than their counterparts. The financial burden was more significant when the patient was male and unable to work. Better community services, mobile crisis intervention teams, and sensitivity counseling will significantly reduce family burden and contribute to improve the quality of care of mentally ill.