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Family burden in long-term diseases: a comparative study in schizophrenia vs. physical disorders

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  • Magliano, Lorenza
  • Fiorillo, Andrea
  • De Rosa, Corrado
  • Malangone, Claudio
  • Maj, Mario

Abstract

This study explored burden and social networks in families of patients with schizophrenia or a long-term physical disease. It was carried out in 169 specialised units (mental health department, and units for the treatment of chronic heart, brain, diabetes, kidney, lung diseases) recruited in 30 randomly selected geographic areas of Italy. The study sample consisted of 709 key relatives of patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and 646 key relatives of patients with physical diseases. Each relative was asked to fill in the Family Problems Questionnaire (FPQ) and the Social Network Questionnaire (SNQ). In all selected pathologies, the consequences of caregiving most frequently reported as always present in the past 2 months were constraints in social activities, negative effects on family life, and a feeling of loss. Objective burden was higher in brain diseases, and subjective burden was higher in schizophrenia and brain diseases than in the other groups. Social support and help in emergencies concerning the patient were dramatically lower among relatives of patients with schizophrenia than among those of patients with physical diseases. In the schizophrenia group, both objective and subjective burden were significantly higher among relatives who reported lower support from their social network and professionals. The results of this study highlight the need to provide the families of those with long-term diseases with supportive interventions, including: (a) the management of relatives' psychological reactions to patient's illness; (b) the provision of information on the nature, course and outcome of patient's disease; (c) training for the relatives in the management of the patient's symptoms; and (d) the reinforcement of relatives' social networks, especially in the case of schizophrenia.

Suggested Citation

  • Magliano, Lorenza & Fiorillo, Andrea & De Rosa, Corrado & Malangone, Claudio & Maj, Mario, 2005. "Family burden in long-term diseases: a comparative study in schizophrenia vs. physical disorders," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 313-322, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:61:y:2005:i:2:p:313-322
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher J.L. Murray & Alan D. Lopez, 2000. "Progress and directions in refining the Global Burden of Disease approach: a response to Williams," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 9(1), pages 69-82, January.
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    1. Exel, Job van & Graaf, Gjalt de & Brouwer, Werner, 2007. "Care for a break? An investigation of informal caregivers' attitudes toward respite care using Q-methodology," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(2-3), pages 332-342, October.
    2. Fulya Akgül Gök & Veli Duyan, 2020. "‘I wanted my child dead’ – Physical, social, cognitive, emotional and spiritual life stories of Turkish parents who give care to their children with schizophrenia: A qualitative analysis based o," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(3), pages 249-258, May.
    3. van Exel, Job & de Graaf, Gjalt & Brouwer, Werner, 2008. "Give me a break!: Informal caregiver attitudes towards respite care," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 73-87, October.
    4. Chun Chieh Fan & Ying-Yeh Chen, 2011. "Factors Associated With Care Burden and Quality of Life Among Caregivers of the Mentally Ill in Chinese Society," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(2), pages 195-206, March.
    5. Semenza, Daniel C. & Silver, Ian A., 2022. "Stuck in the cycle? Assessing a reciprocal model of incarceration, health, and relative risk over twenty-five years," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    6. van Exel, Job & Moree, Marjolein & Koopmanschap, Marc & Goedheijt, Trudy Schreuder & Brouwer, Werner, 2006. "Respite care--An explorative study of demand and use in Dutch informal caregivers," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(2-3), pages 194-208, October.
    7. Magliano, Lorenza & Fiorillo, Andrea & Malangone, Claudio & De Rosa, Corrado & Maj, Mario, 2006. "Social network in long-term diseases: A comparative study in relatives of persons with schizophrenia and physical illnesses versus a sample from the general population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(6), pages 1392-1402, March.

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