Examining the level of codependency in caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses

INTRODUCTION: Anyone who has a relationship with patients with emotional/mental or chronic diseases can develop codependency. This study aims to determine the level of codependency and some related factors in the caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses.
METHODS: This descriptive and correlational study was carried out with the relatives of 379 patients with various mental illnesses. The data were obtained using the Information Form and the Codependency Assessment Tool (CODAT).
RESULTS: The total mean score of the CODAT was found to be 58.42±12.71. Age, gender, educational status, perception of income status, marital status, state of closeness to the patient, status of having a chronic illness, exposure to violence, perception of commitment to the individual cared for and the personality characteristics of being lively/active, sensitive/emotional, self-confident, and anxious, and codependency mean scores were found statistically significant (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was found that the level of codependency was mild in the caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses and codependency is associated with some characteristics of the caregiver. In addition to the health services provided to individuals with chronic mental illnesses, it is recommended to evaluate the caregivers, to determine the existing risk situations, and to provide early professional help. All these may allow the caregivers to protect their mental health and to support the independence of the individual with mental illness in the recovery process.