Caregiving for orthopaedic patients, often involving chronic conditions like fractures, arthritis, and spinal injuries, places significant psychological strain on informal caregivers. This study examined psycho-demographic predictors of mental health among caregivers of orthopaedic patients in Benue Northwest, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 103 informal caregivers selected from four major hospitals. Data was collected using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12).

Results from multiple regression analysis revealed that exposure to trauma, particularly symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, and arousal, significantly predicted poor mental health outcomes (R² = .148, p < .001). Furthermore, univariate analysis showed that while sex had no significant main effect, educational attainment significantly influenced mental health (F(3, 96) = 12.260, p < .001), with caregivers of lower educational levels experiencing more psychological distress. A significant interaction effect between sex and education was also observed (F(2, 96) = 14.802, p < .001).

The findings suggest that trauma exposure and low educational attainment are key risk factors for poor mental health among caregivers. Interventions should prioritize trauma-focused support, especially for caregivers with limited education, to enhance mental health resilience and caregiving effectiveness.