Description of the Lived Experiences of Family Caregivers for People With Mental Health Comorbidities

NCT07760701 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UNZA-4020/2023 MCE Study
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Mental health problems such as depression, trauma and anxiety are common in low-resource contexts, such as Zambia. Comorbidity, or having multiple mental health problems, is the norm. Family or friends often care for these individuals in the home. Providing care often leads to disrupted social life, financial hardships and emotional stress. Extant research shows mental health concerns were exacerbated by COVID-19, however, very little is known about the experiences of family caregivers in Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project aims to describe the lived experiences of family caregivers, including challenges, self-directed coping skills, and access to services and resources.

Conditions

Depression; Anxiety; Trauma

Keywords

family caregivers; mental health comorbidity; Covid-19

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Identification of meaning units

  Determine caregiver experiences that are meaningful using semi-structured interview guides

  Single time point

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The population for this study will be comprised of 1) caregivers that have provided unpaid mental health care to a relative with mental health comorbidities during the pandemic, 2) individuals aged 15 and above with mental health comorbidities that have received care from family caregivers during the pandemic, and 3) mental health experts that provide professional care for mental health comorbidities

You may qualify if:

• Provided counselling or psychiatric care to care-recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Works within or around Lusaka city

You may not qualify if:

• a. Did not interact with family caregivers extensively
• Provide unpaid care to a care-recipient during the COVID-19 pandemic
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• Unrelated to care-recipient. Other carer's such as housekeepers that may assist with home-based care for care-recipients.
• Other relatives that assist with logistics (for example driving the patient to a hospital) but do not spend significant time with the patient.
• Experience one or more mental health problems as reported by either the caregiver or themselves
• Cared for by a family caregiver in a home setting during the COVID-19 pandemic
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• Care-recipient's with severe mental health illness (e.g. psychosis, schizophrenia and severe dementia) that prevents them from giving informed consent.
• Care-recipients institutionalized in a mental health facility and not receiving care from a family caregiver during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia: lead

Study Sites (1)

CIDRZ

Lusaka, Lusaka Province, 10101, Zambia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Wounds and Injuries; COVID-19

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Respiratory Tract Infections; Infections; Virus Diseases; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Study Officials

• Mwamba Mwila Mwenge, MBA, MSc

  Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Mwamba Mwenge, MBA, MSc

  Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 17, 2025
• First Posted: August 12, 2026
• Study Start: July 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 29, 2024
• Study Completion: May 29, 2024
• Last Updated: August 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ZA (1)