Care difficulties and burden during COVID‐19 pandemic lockdowns among caregivers of people with schizophrenia: A cross‐sectional study

Yasuma, Naonori; Yamaguchi, Sosei; Ogawa, Makoto; Shiozawa, Takuma; Abe, Makiko; Igarashi, Momoka; Kawaguchi, Takayuki; Sato, Sayaka; Nishi, Daisuke; Kawakami, Norito; Fujii, Chiyo

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate care difficulties experienced by caregivers of people with schizophrenia during COVID‐19 pandemic lockdowns in Japan (April 7‐May 25, 2020) and examine associations between these care difficulties during lockdowns and daily caregiver burden. METHODS: Data were collected from 132 participants of the LINE Schizophrenia Family Association using an online survey. RESULTS: Caregivers were mostly concerned about who would care for people with schizophrenia if caregivers become infected with COVID‐19. A significant association was found between higher daily caregiver burden and more difficult care experiences during COVID‐19 pandemic lockdowns (B = 0.58, 95% confidence interval, 0.40‐0.75, P < .01, adjusted R‐squared = .34). CONCLUSIONS: Further studies and supports for caregivers of people with schizophrenia are needed.