Psychosocial and Economic Burden among People Living with Mental Disorder and the Caregivers in Rehabilitation Centers (Published)
The psychosocial and economic burden experienced by individuals living with mental disorders and their caregivers presents a critical public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the psychosocial and economic challenges faced by people living with mental disorders and their caregivers in Southwest Nigeria, exploring associated coping mechanisms and the role of systemic interventions. A scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, focusing on studies published between 2020 and 2025. Comprehensive searches were performed across PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, supplemented by grey literature and expert consultation. After removing duplicates, 98 records were screened, 24 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, and 16 studies included in the final analysis. Extracted data covered study characteristics, participant demographics, psychosocial and economic outcomes, coping strategies, social support, and systemic interventions. Thematic analysis revealed that caregivers experience significant psychological distress, emotional strain, and financial burden, often exacerbated by societal stigma, inadequate social support, and limited healthcare infrastructure. Coping strategies employed included reliance on family networks, faith-based practices, and professional interventions, though these were frequently insufficient in mitigating sustained stress. Evidence highlighted the potential benefits of structured support programs, including psychoeducation and community-based rehabilitation, yet such interventions remain poorly integrated in the Nigerian context. The review also identified a distinct knowledge gap regarding the manifestation of caregiver burden and coping mechanisms within Southwest Nigeria, underscoring the need for culturally tailored, context-specific interventions. Findings emphasize the importance of strengthening both formal healthcare services and informal support systems to alleviate caregiver burden, improve patient and caregiver well-being, and inform evidence-based policy development in mental health care in the region.
Keywords: Caregivers., Mental disorder, economic burden., psychosocial burden