Social Support among Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that influences social functions and social relationship of the patients. Schizophrenic patients frequently complain of diminished social support which is acting as a critical factor in the prognosis of schizophrenia. Aim:This study aimed atassessin gsocial support among patients withschizo phrenia. Method: The study was carried out using a descriptivere search design on a convenience sample of 200 patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia disorder at the Inpatient and Out-patient Psychiatric Department of Mansoura University Hospital. Data were collected by socio-demographic and clinical characteristics sheet and Multidimensional scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: Results in this study revealed that majority of the studied subjects (89.5%) had low and moderate social support. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between social support and social relationship. Conclusion: Social support plays an important role in the prognosis and recovery of schizophrenia; so it is recommended to enhance social support while caring for patients with schizophrenia. Further studies are needed about the effective and vital role of social support.