INFLUENCE OF FAMILY BURDEN AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY IN PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

BACKGROUND Schizophrenia causes considerable functional disability. Families are the main support system and primary care givers for persons with schizophrenia in India. Family burden and social support are the main concern. One should get acquainted about the disability in persons with Schizophrenia. The present study was designed to assess the nature and severity of disability in persons with schizophrenia, perceived social support as well as burdens among caregivers of patients and to find out the correlation of disability with family burden and perceived social support. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), Kolkata, India. One hundred patients with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia as per ICD-10 and their caregivers were taken. Thereafter, all patients were assessed on Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS) for disability. Family Burden Interview Schedule-Short Form (FBIS-SF) was applied on caregivers to assess family burden. Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) to assess the perceived social support was also applied. RESULTS It was found that majority of the patients were having severe level of disability in global, interpersonal activity and communication and understanding area and moderate level in work and self-care domains. FBIS-SF total score had a significant (< 0.035) positive correlation and SSQ total score had a significant (p < 0.000) negative correlation with global disability. The total score of family burden and perceived social support emerged as the sole significant predictor of global disability. CONCLUSION Treatment of persons with schizophrenia should be focused on family burden and social support system to improve competencies in occupation, self-care and interpersonal relationship with co-workers and significant others.