Care difficulties and burden during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns among caregivers of people with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate care difficulties experienced by caregivers of people with schizophrenia during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in Japan (April 7-May 25, 2020) and examine associations between these care difficulties during lockdowns and daily caregiver burden. METHODS: Data were collected from 132 participants of the LINE Schizophrenia Family Association using an online survey. RESULTS: Caregivers were mostly concerned about who would care for people with schizophrenia if caregivers become infected with COVID-19. A significant association was found between higher daily caregiver burden and more difficult care experiences during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns (B = 0.58, 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.75, P < .01, adjusted R-squared = .34). CONCLUSIONS: Further studies and supports for caregivers of people with schizophrenia are needed.