Adolescents with psychiatric disorder: parents'caregiving experience.

Aim of the research The aim is to study the experience of “caregiving” by parents of psychiatric adolescents in relation to patients’ psychosocial functioning and psychopathology. Sample The sample is formed by adolescents referred to the daily service during the second half of 2007. They are 20 adolescents, 17 male (85%) and 3 female (15%) aged 12 to 19 years, divided in three age groups: 12-14 (20%), 15-17 (65%) and 18-19 (15%). 25 % attends primary school, 40% secondary school, while 35% of patients interrupted educational career. The characteristics of the sample are illustrated in figures 1-4. Methodology Adolescents’ psychosocial functioning and psychopathology were evaluated respectively throughout GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) and CBCL (Child Behavior Check List). The “caregiving” experience by parents of the psychiatric adolescents was studied using an innovative questionnaire called ECI (Experience of Caregiving Inventory). The study suggests that caregiving experience by parents of psychiatric adolescents is influenced more by the global functioning of the patient (social relationships, autonomy, self esteem,…) rather then by the specific psychopathology (neurotic or psychotic types symptoms).