The study group consisted of care givers of 36 patients suffering from Schizophrenia, 35 patients suffering from Affective Disorder and 32 patients with mild or moderate Mental Retardation. The patients with Schizophrenia, Affective disorders and Mental retardation were in remission and were not currently symptomatic. The inclusion criteria required patients who were stable and were on regular follow-up with maintenance medication for at least 6 months. Affective disorders with minor depression and Dysthymia were not included and only those with recurrent depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder were included