Volume : 2, Issue : 2, February - 2013

Perceived Social support and Re–admission: A Comparative Study in Re– Admitted and Non– Admitted Persons with Schizophrenia

Arif Ali, S. P. Deuri, Sobhana H, Kalpana Sarathy, Nilufar Karim, Athelrine Horo

Abstract :

Background: Social support has a positive effect on the process and outcome of psychiatric treatment especially in persons with schizophrenia. Aim: To study the relationship between re–admission and perceived social support in persons with schizophrenia Setting and design: This is a cross– sectional setting and the study was conducted at Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur Assam. Material and Method: It is a comparative study. Purposive sampling technique was used for selection of subjects for the study. Admission was defined as any admission in any psychiatric set up on a voluntary basis as per the Mental Health Act of India, 1987. Thirty re–admitted persons with schizophrenia diagnosed according to ICD –10 criteria and thirty non–admitted persons diagnosed with Schizophrenia were included in the present study. Socio – demographic data sheet, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Perceived Social Support Questionnaire were administered to them. Results: Perceived social support was low in the admitted group. Significant difference at P < 0.01 was found between the two groups in reference to perceived social support. Negative correlation was found between perceived social support and number of re–admission in psychiatric set up. Conclusion: Social support and its role in admission and readmission of persons with psychiatric illness.