Mental health and psychosocial well-being of spouses of persons with schizophrenia: A systematic review

BackgroundEvidence suggests that Spouses of Persons with Schizophrenia (SPwS) are susceptible to higher levels of caregiver burden, mental health problems, and poor psychosocial well-being compared to the general population. The current review aimed to synthesize available evidence on the mental health, psychosocial well-being, and factors associated with the well-being of spouses of persons with schizophrenia.MethodologyA comprehensive literature search was conducted across six electronic databases. Studies published in English between 2000 and 2025 that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered for the review. Screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal were conducted independently by the reviewers. The JBI Checklist for Analytical Cross-sectional Studies was used to appraise quality. Findings were synthesized narratively.ResultsFrom 1809, 23 studies, comprising 4116 participants from six countries, were included. The review identified moderate-to-severe levels of caregiver burden, high levels of psychological distress, and a higher prevalence of mental health problems among SPwS. Various patient and caregiver-related factors were strongly associated with higher burden and poorer mental health.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the need for routine assessment of spousal well-being and for the development of simple, culturally appropriate interventions for both patients and their spousal caregivers.