PERCEIVED STIGMA, FAMILY SUPPORT AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG CAREGIVERS OF FEMALE PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA DISORDER

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia experience high level of poor quality of life be causes, Schizophrenia is severe mental illness which leads long term decline in person overall functional competence, alters communication patterns in the family, leads to occupational difficulties, and puts a load on the family caregivers. This study was done to examine how stigma and quality of life correlate with each other, and to determine impact of family support on quality of life of schizophrenia patients. Methods: Purposive sampling technique served sample recruitment of 200 caregivers of female patients with schizophrenia and correlational research design was used to analyse data. Devaluation of Consumer Family Scale, Perceived Social Support from the Family Scale, and WHO Quality of Life Scale were used as tools for data collection. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment co-relational analysis and hierarchal regression analysis were practiced for data analysis. Results: Significant negative relationship was found between perceive stigma and quality of life sub scales (Physical, Psychological and Environmental). Significant positive correlation between familial support and Quality of Life sub scales (Physical, Psychological and Environmental) was found among caregivers of women with schizophrenia. No significant differences were found between males and females with reference of quality of life. Conclusion: Stigma and quality of life are negatively associated while family support is positively associated with quality of life. Perceived stigma and family support were significant predictors of Quality of Life. Pak J Physiol 2021;17(2):42–5