Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) Test

Understand caregiver stress and strain in about 5 minutes. A 22 item tool that pinpoints key pressure points to guide timely support and care planning.
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Questions225 minutes
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08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
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How the Scales are Structured
example score
3/4
Self-Criticism About Caregiving And Burden (SACAB)
Measures the degree of self-criticism, guilt, or dissatisfaction a caregiver feels about leaving the person and about the workload of caregiving.
Low
Moderate
High
01Low23Moderate4High
A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting noticeable self-criticism or guilt about caregiving demands, though not at the highest intensity on this scale.
example score
2/4
Uncertainty (U)
Measures the caregiver’s anxiety about the future and uncertainty about their role in the caregiving process.
Low uncertainty
Moderate uncertainty
High uncertainty
01Low uncertainty23Moderate uncertainty4High uncertainty
A score of 2 suggests a moderate level of uncertainty, reflecting noticeable worries about what lies ahead and some lack of clarity in the caregiving role.
example score
2/4
Emotional Strain (ES)
Measures the caregiver’s negative emotional reactions and stress experienced while providing care.
Low strain
Moderate strain
High strain
01Low strain23Moderate strain4High strain
A score of 2 indicates a moderate level of emotional strain, suggesting noticeable stress or emotional fatigue in the caregiving role.
example score
3/4
Patient-Caregiver Interdependence (PI)
Measures the degree to which caregiving is driven by the patient’s lack of autonomy and restricts the caregiver’s personal freedom.
Low interdependence
Moderate interdependence
High interdependence
01Low interdependence23Moderate interdependence4High interdependence
A score of 3 indicates moderate patient–caregiver interdependence, suggesting notable limits on personal freedom due to the patient’s need for assistance.
example score
2/4
Perceived Resource Deficit (PRD)
Measures the caregiver’s perceived lack of personal resources (financial, physical, and social) needed to provide care.
Low scarcity
Moderate scarcity
High scarcity
01Low scarcity23Moderate scarcity4High scarcity
A score of 2 indicates a moderate perception of resource scarcity, suggesting the caregiver sometimes feels limited in the support, energy, or finances available for caregiving.
example score
18/88
Family Burden Severity (FBS)
Measures the overall intensity of stress and strain a caregiver experiences in relation to family caregiving responsibilities.
Low burden
Moderate burden
High to severe burden
020Low burden2140Moderate burden4188High to severe burden
A score of 18 falls in the Low burden range, suggesting relatively limited overall caregiver strain at this time.
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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS
Who Usually Takes This Test?
Family primary caregivers
46%OF USERS
Spouses, parents, or siblings caring for a relative with schizophrenia use it to gauge stress, exhaustion, and daily-life impact.
Mental health clinicians
34%OF USERS
Psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers administer it to identify caregiver strain and plan targeted support.
Research study participants
20%OF USERS
Caregivers enrolled in clinical or community studies take it to provide standardized data on burden over time.
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
What You’ll See After You Finish the Test
Scale Results
— Explained Clearly
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Used in 52+ countries
Benchmarking
See How You Compare
Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.
Self-criticism about leaving and workload (Salaw)
Average
1.8
Normal range
1.12.5
min.
0
max.
4
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Uncertainty (U)
Average
3
Normal range
2.33.6
min.
0
max.
4
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Emotional Tension (ET)
Average
2.9
Normal range
2.33.6
min.
0
max.
4
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Interdependence of patient/caregiver (Iop)
Average
2.9
Normal range
2.33.5
min.
0
max.
4
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Perception of resource scarcity (Pors)
Average
1.1
Normal range
0.61.7
min.
0
max.
4
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Intensity of Family Burden (IoFB)
Average
65.8
Normal range
52.778.8
min.
0
max.
88
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this questionnaire measure?
It measures the caregiver’s perceived emotional and psychological strain related to providing ongoing care. It also indicates common burden areas such as fatigue, stress, social limitations, and financial pressure.
Who should complete it?
It is intended for adults who provide regular unpaid care to a relative or close person with significant mental health needs. It can be used in clinical, community, or research settings.
How long does it take and what is the format?
It includes 22 items and usually takes about 5 minutes to complete. Each item is rated on an ordered response scale based on how often or how strongly the statement applies.
How should responses be selected?
Select the option that best reflects the current situation during the past few weeks. Use the first response that seems accurate and avoid overthinking individual items.
How are results used?
Higher total scores indicate greater caregiver burden. Results help identify areas where added support or targeted interventions may be needed.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment
Caregiver Burden Questionnaire, ZBI Test

Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) Test

Caregiving responsibilities can contribute to clinically meaningful psychological and practical strain. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is a brief self-report measure designed to quantify perceived caregiver burden and related distress.

Developed by Steven H. Zarit, Judy M. Reever, and Joseph Bach-Peterson, it consists of 22 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Items ask respondents to rate the extent to which caregiving affects emotional well-being, social functioning, and daily life demands, supporting identification of areas where additional assessment or support may be indicated.

The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is commonly used in clinical and research settings to monitor caregiver strain over time and to inform care planning, referral decisions, and evaluation of intervention response.

Author: Joseph Bach-Peterson, Judy M. Reever, Steven H. Zarit
Literature: Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T., Semple, S. J., & Skaff, M. M. Caregiving and the stress process: an overview of concepts and their measures. The Gerontologist. 1990.; Zarit, S. H., Reever, K. E., & Bach-Peterson, J. Relatives of the impaired elderly: correlates of feelings of burden. The Gerontologist. 1980.
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