The impact of caregiver burden levels of primary caregivers of oncology and psychiatry patients on anxiety and depressive ratings: a comparative study

Background: This study aimed to examine the association between caregiver burden and anxiety and depressive symptoms among primary caregivers of oncology patients and patients with severe mental illness. Methods: This descriptive, correlational, and comparative study was conducted between 15 August and 15 October 2025. The sample comprised 100 primary caregivers of outpatients, including 50 caregivers of oncology patients and 50 caregivers of psychiatric patients. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) were calculated. Group comparisons and associations were examined using ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: There were statistically significant differences between groups in caregiver burden (ZBI), anxiety (BAI), and depression (BDI) scores (p < 0.05). Caregivers of psychiatric patients reported higher ZBI, BAI, and BDI scores than caregivers of oncology patients. In the psychiatric caregiver group, higher caregiver burden was positively associated with higher anxiety levels (β = 0.472, p < 0.05), and the model explained 35.8% of the variance. Similarly, higher caregiver burden was positively associated with higher depressive symptom levels (β = 0.289, p < 0.05), with the model explaining 28.3% of the variance (R²=0.283). Conclusion: Primary caregivers of psychiatric patients experienced greater caregiver burden, anxiety, and depressive symptoms than primary caregivers of oncology patients. Psychiatric nurses should plan and implement interventions focused on psychoeducation, stress management, crisis management, and communication skills to reduce caregiver burden and related psychological symptoms.