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. 2025 Sep 1;24(1):1133.
doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03777-4.

Developing and pilot testing an intervention model to manage the burden of family caregivers of older adults with schizophrenia

Osuolale John Makanjuola  1 , Winnie Baphumelele Ngcobo  2
Affiliations

Developing and pilot testing an intervention model to manage the burden of family caregivers of older adults with schizophrenia

Osuolale John Makanjuola et al. BMC Nurs. .

Abstract
in English, German

The chronic and severe nature of schizophrenia places a significant burden on caregivers. These include financial strain, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate knowledge about illness. The study aimed to develop, and pilot test an intervention model to address the caregiver burden faced by families caring for elderly individuals with schizophrenia in Southwest Nigeria. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 340 caregivers via the Zarit Burden Interview and WHOQOL-BREF and qualitative insights from 20 in-depth interviews. Findings revealed a high caregiver burden, with 52.6% reporting a severe burden. Financial constraints and emotional stress were the key drivers. 34.4% reported frequent shortages of moderators such as social support. The Family Caregivers of Older People with Schizophrenia Model (FCOPSM), integrating psychoeducation, skills training, support groups, financial advocacy, and stigma reduction tailored to the Nigerian context, was guided by the design and development model and validated through an expert review with a Scale Content Validity Index of 0.96. Pilot testing with one psychiatric nurse and nine caregivers across two stages demonstrated feasibility, with caregivers reporting improved knowledge, stress management and reduced burden score (p < 0.05). The FCOPSM provides a preliminary, culturally tailored framework that may help empower family caregivers of older people with schizophrenia and health workers in managing caregiving burden. However, further validation is needed to assess scalability in resource-limited settings.

Not applicable.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Human ethics and consent to participate: All methods were conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (reference number HSSREC/00006651/2024). Ethical approval was obtained from the local ethical committees in Nigeria that were involved in the study: Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, with reference number NHREC/FNPH-HREC/29/08/2023; Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Ondo, with reference number OSHREC 05/07/2023/565; and Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, with reference number FNPHY/HREC/2023/001/08/105. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants involved in the study. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Family Caregivers of Older People with Schizophrenia Model (FCOPSM) Makanjuola and Ngcobo
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flowchart of the methodology phase of the study. Source: Created by the authors
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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