Predictors of Burden in Families of Youth Experiencing Mental Health and/or Addiction Concerns in Ontario, Canada

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
29 January 2024

Abstract

This study explored factors impacting caregiver burden (CB) in families of youth with mental health and/or addiction (MHA) issues through a cross-sectional survey of Ontario caregivers (n = 259). Zero-order correlations explored caregiver, youth, and service factors and CB. Regressions explored contributions of significant factors to the variance in CB. Barriers to services, number of youth symptoms, and waitlist status significantly predicted CB. The specific barriers that were significantly associated with CB were service costs, service availability, and youth motivation to participate in services. Tailoring interventions and policies to reduce service waitlists and barriers may alleviate CB and improve youth and family outcomes.

Résumé

Cette enquête transversale auprès d’aidants de l’Ontario (N = 259) s’est penchée sur les facteurs contribuant au fardeau des aidants (FA) dans les familles de jeunes atteints de problèmes de santé mentale et/ou de dépendances. Des analyses de régression ont mis en lumière ces facteurs significatifs, soit les obstacles à l’obtention des services, le nombre de symptômes des jeunes et le statut sur les listes d’attente. Les obstacles liés aux coûts des services, à la disponibilité des services et à la motivation des jeunes face aux services étaient aussi associés significativement au FA. Adresser ces obstacles pourrait réduire le FA.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 42Number 4December 2023
Pages: 49 - 62

History

Version of record online: 29 January 2024

Key Words

  1. mental health
  2. addiction
  3. psychopathology
  4. caregiver burden
  5. adolescence
  6. youth
  7. caregivers

Mots-clés

  1. santé mentale
  2. dépendance
  3. psychopathologie
  4. fardeau des aidants
  5. tension sur les aidants
  6. adolescence
  7. jeunesse
  8. aidants

Authors

Affiliations

Emily E. Levitt
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Roula Markoulakis
Sunnybrook Research Institute, and University of Toronto
Staci Weingust
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Kendyl Dobbin
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Anthony J. Levitt [email protected]
Sunnybrook Research Institute, and University of Toronto

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