Coping Styles and Interventions to Reduce Psychological Distress in Care Givers for the Mentally Challenged

The recent literature on care givers burden in mental retardation is reviewed. Families bear the major responsibility for such care. Care giver face mental ill health as a direct consequence of their caring role and experience higher rates of mental ill health than the general population. The production of burden in care giver is a complex process and is related to gender, age, health status, ethnic and cultural affiliation, lack of social support, coping style, in addition to the stressors of the disorder itself. Care giver appears to suffer from at least moderate levels of psychological symptomatology. The behavioral problems associated with mental disorders further increase the stress levels of care giver. The findings from the review afford a comprehensive understanding of the care-giving situation with its outcomes, and its practical application in devising effective support strategies for family care giver.