Psychological Burden in Burn Care: A Cross sectional Study of Stress Among Caregivers in a Burn Unit

Introduction: Caregivers of burn patients often endure considerable psychological stress due to the demanding and emotionally taxing nature of their responsibilities. Despite their critical role in patient recovery, the mental health of caregivers has received limited focus, particularly in high-acuity settings such as burn units. Aims: To assess stress levels among burn patient caregivers and identify associated socio-demographic factors in a tertiary care burn unit. Materials and Methods: This quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 caregivers in the burn unit of IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews using a self-structured sociodemographic questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The PSS-10, a validated tool, measured perceived stress on a scale of 0 to 40, categorized as low (0–13), moderate (14–26), and high (27–40). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to assess associations between stress levels and sociodemographic factors. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Most caregivers experienced moderate stress (70.0%), followed by high stress (27.5%), and low stress (2.5%). Significant associations were found between stress levels and variables such as age (χ² =16.2, P = 0.001), gender (χ² =28.03, P < 0.001), marital status (χ² =97.4, P < 0.001), educational status (χ² =18.2, P = 0.0027), and morbidity status (χ² =70.53, P < 0.001). No significant associations were observed with residence, occupation, or monthly income. Conclusions: Caregivers in burn units face considerable psychological stress, influenced by various sociodemographic factors. These findings underscore the need for structured institutional support and targeted stress management strategies to promote caregiver well-being and enhance care outcomes.