Predictors of Caregiver Burden Among Substance Use Disorder Patients

Background: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) imposes significant strain on caregivers, and identifying predictors of caregiver burden is crucial for improving support systems. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Rajshahi Medical College, from January 2020 to December 2022. A total of 50 caregivers were assessed at baseline and every six months for two years. Caregiver burden was measured using the Zarit Burden Interview, and social support was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data analysis utilized correlation coefficients, t-tests, and multivariate regression to examine the relationships between key variables. Results: Results revealed that 72% of caregivers experienced high burden levels. Social support significantly inversely correlated with caregiver burden (r = -0.58, p < 0.01). Caregivers who reported greater social support had 36% less burden. Significant predictors of caregiver burden included caregiver age (p = 0.03), caregiver relationship to the patient (p = 0.04), duration of substance use (p = 0.02), caregiver mental health status (p = 0.001), and coping strategies (p = 0.005). Regression analysis indicated that increased social support, along with younger caregiver age and higher self-efficacy, were associated with reduced caregiver burden. The standard deviation for caregiver burden scores was 8.7, with a mean score of 23.1. A p-value of