Depression and anxiety among family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Iran: A cross-sectional study

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Background and Aim Schizophrenia is one of the most severe psychiatric disorders and imposes substantial psychological burden not only on patients but also on their family caregivers. The present study aimed to investigate levels of depression and anxiety among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and to examine their associations with caregivers’ demographic characteristics and selected clinical features of patients. Methods This was a descriptive–analytical, cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia who attended Razi Psychiatric Hospital during 2024 and 2025. A total of 271 participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and were analyzed using the chi-square test and eta coefficients in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27. Results A significant association was found between gender and depression (p = 0.013) as well as anxiety (p = 0.016), with female caregivers reporting higher levels of both. No significant relationship was observed between marital status and depression (p = 0.762) or anxiety (p = 0.672). Employment status was significantly associated with both depression and anxiety (p < 0.001), with higher scores among unemployed caregivers. Caregiving duration longer than five years was associated with increased depression (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.018). In addition, the number of patient hospitalizations, type of kinship (parent or spouse), and a history of suicide attempts in patients were significantly associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety among caregivers (p < 0.05). Conclusion Caregivers of patients with schizophrenia experience high levels of anxiety and depression, and specific demographic and clinical factors play a key role in exacerbating this burden. These findings highlight the need for targeted psychological and supportive interventions for high-risk caregiver groups.