FINANCIAL STRESS AND PERSONALITY TRAITS AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG CAREGIVERS OF MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS

Abstract

This study examined financial stress and personality traits as predictors of psychological distress among caregivers of mentally ill patients at Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Nawfia, Anambra State, Nigeria. Eighty-nine caregivers were recruited using a total population sampling technique (31 males, 34.8%; 58 females, 65.2%), with ages ranging from 24 to 51 years (M = 39.63, SD = 8.96). Instruments included the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), a Financial Stress Questionnaire, and the Big Five Personality Inventory. A predictive cross-sectional design was employed, and data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results indicated that the affective dimension of financial stress significantly and positively predicted psychological distress (β = 1.19, t = 7.39, p < .05). Other financial stress dimensions demonstrated negative but non-significant relationships. None of the Big Five personality traits significantly predicted psychological distress in this sample. The findings underscore the salience of financial strain in shaping caregivers’ psychological well-being, while suggesting that personality traits may play a less direct role within this context. It is recommended that mental health institutions incorporate structured financial counseling and psychosocial support services to mitigate distress among caregivers.