Zarit Burden Interview

What it measures

The most widely used measure of subjective burden experienced by informal caregivers of people with dementia, chronic illness, or disability. Captures emotional, financial, social, and physical impacts of caregiving. Widely used in gerontology, dementia research, and caregiver intervention trials.

Response format

Likert (0–4, never to nearly always); total 0–88

Representative items

• Do you feel that your relative asks for more help than he/she needs?
• Do you feel stressed between caring for your relative and trying to meet other responsibilities?
• Do you feel that your social life has suffered because you are caring for your relative?
• Do you feel that your health has suffered because of your involvement with your relative?
• Do you feel that you have lost control of your life since your relative's illness?

Usage notes & scoring

Score ranges: 0–20 little or no burden, 21–40 mild to moderate, 41–60 moderate to severe, 61–88 severe burden. Public domain — freely available. ZBI-12 short form and ZBI-1 single item also available. Widely used in dementia clinical trials as a primary carer outcome measure.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Zarit, S.H., Reever, K.E., & Bach-Peterson, J. (1980). Relatives of the impaired elderly: Correlates of feelings of burden. Gerontologist, 20(6), 649–655.

Keywords