Elsevier

Evaluation and Program Planning

Volume 17, Issue 3, July–September 1994, Pages 261-269
Evaluation and Program Planning

Burden assessment scale for families of the seriously mentally ill

https://doi.org/10.1016/0149-7189(94)90004-3Get rights and content

Abstract

Although there are many scales of family burden that are available and in use, there is no accepted standard. This paper describes a scale developed to assess the burden of families with a seriously mentally ill member. The Burden Assessment Scale (BAS), consisting of 19 items, is shown to have excellent reliability. Use of the BAS in two separate studies reveals the scale to have a stable factor structure, whether it is self- or interviewer-administered. The scale differentiates between family samples with different levels of burden and is sensitive to changes over time. The BAS, which is brief, reliable, and valid, is a practical tool for use in program evaluation. faThe authors express their appreciation to the staff of the Club/University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Bonnie Schorske/Family Liaison of the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Hospitals, and the program directors and staff of the eight Intensive Family Support Services programs funded by the State of New Jersey. We also thank Dr. Carol Weiss for adapting the BAS for use with Spanish-speaking population.

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    • ∗

    The authors express their appreciation to the staff of the Club/University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Bonnie Schorske/Family Liaison of the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Hospitals, and the program directors and staff of the eight Intensive Family Support Services programs funded by the State of New Jersey. We also thak Dr. Carol Weiss for adapting the BAS for use with Spanish-speaking population.

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