Emotional Distress amongst the Supporters of the Elderly Mentally Infirm

Three samples of supporters of elderly infirm dependents who were either attending or about to attend day hospitals were given the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to complete. Prevalence levels of disturbance varied from 57% to 73%; female supporters (the majority) reported higher levels of distress. High scores were related to a diagnosable psychiatric condition, and were significantly associated with a combination of poor self-health ratings in the supporters, more frequent behaviour problems in the dependents and a more negative view of the premorbid relationship between supporter and dependent. Reported amount of contact time and levels of formal and informal outside support were not related to GHQ scores.