Comparing Quality of Life Indicators between Caregivers of Schizophrenic Patients with Substance Dependency and Those without Substance Dependency

The objective of this study was to assess and compare quality of life indicators in caregivers of schizophrenic patients with and without substance dependency in Razi Psychiatric Hospital. In this analytical study, 30 persons per group (caregivers of substance-dependent and substance non-dependent schizophrenic patients) were selected from Razi Psychiatric Hospital through convenient sampling. Indicators of quality of life were measured by WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire and analyzed by independent t-test. The overall results of this study showed that all the dimensions of quality of life in caregivers of schizophrenic patients (with and without drug dependency) were similar. However, due to frequent physical and psychological disputes with the patient, Physical health indicators were low. Moreover, the Stigma associated with mental illness caused a decrease in social and religious indicators. On the other hand, other indicators of Quality of life (Environmental and Independency) had improved due to repeated efforts to seek help in solving their problems. It seems that schizophrenic patients’ addiction does not affect caregivers’ quality of life indicators.