Perceived social support and community adaptation in schizophrenia

Abstract

Prompted by the continuing transition to community care, mental health nurses are considering the role of social support in community adaptation. This article demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between kinds of social support and presents findings from the first round data of a longitudinal study of community adaptation in 156 people with schizophrenia conducted in Brisbane, Australia. All clients were interviewed using the relevant subscales of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule to confirm a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia. The study set out to investigate the relationship between community adaptation and social support. Community adaptation was measured with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Life Skills Profile (LSP) and measures of dissatisfaction with life and problems in daily living developed by the authors. Social support was measured with the Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule (ASSIS). The BPRS and ASSIS were incorporated into a client interview conducted by trained interviewers. The LSP was completed on each client by an informal carer (parent, relative or friend) or a professional carer (case manager or other health professional) nominated by the client. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between community adaptation and four sets of social support variables. Given the order in which variables were entered in regression equations, a set of perceived social support variables was found to account for the largest unique variance of four measures of community adaptation in 96 people with schizophrenia for whom complete data are available from the first round of the three‐wave longitudinal study. A set of the subjective experiences of the clients accounted for the largest unique variance in measures of symptomatology, life skills, dissatisfaction with life, and problems in daily living. Sets of community support, household support and functional variables accounted for less variance. Implications for mental health nursing practice are considered.

Perceived human rights violation in persons with mental illness: Role of education

“…They also long for empathy and for a positive attitude to be taken towards them. The present study supports previous research that has highlighted the deficits in emotional support for people with chronic mental illness (Bronowski & Załuska, 2008;Clinton, Lunney, Edwards, Weir, & Barr, 1998). Furthermore, the impact of stigma upon individuals with mental disorders is multi-faceted and devastating.…”

Schizophrenia housing and supportive relationships

“…They reported no access to friends with whom they could share happiness, feel confidence or appreciation. These results support the findings by Clinton et al . (1998) whose research explored the social network and community adaptation of people with schizophrenia.…”

Queensland extended care services for people with severe mental illness and the role of occupational therapy

“…Continuity of care by staff and ongoing involvement in supportive activities both before and after the move reduces relocation trauma and promotes a more successful transition (Farhall et al, 2003). Clinton, Lunney, Edwards, Weir, Barr (1998) recommended that treatments focus on assisting consumers to build their social networks, access social support and promote a positive perception of their life, as this will facilitate competence, improve their ability to cope with stress and achieve community adaptation. Clinton et al reported that consumers with larger and more supportive social networks are admitted to hospital less frequently.…”