Relationship between Perceived Social Support, Level of Functioning and Recovery among Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Patients with schizophrenia are likely to have more difficulty than the rest of the community in the areas of social supports, activities of daily living, and recreational activities. Patients' social support is considered to be a critical factor in the prognosis of schizophrenia. Aim of the study: To examine the relationship between perceived social support, level of functioning and recovery among patients with schizophrenia. Study design: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of Psychiatric and Mental Health Hospital at Benha city, Qalyubia governorate. Study subjects: A purposive sample of 200 patients with schizophrenia. Tools of data collection: Four tools were used for data collection: Tool (I) A structured interviewing questionnaire including socio-demographic data and clinical data, Tool (II) Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS), Tool (III) Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS). Tool (IV) WHODAS 2.0 (Functional Limitations and Level of Disability). Results: 68% of the studied patients had mild level of perceived social support, (69.5%) of the studied patients had moderate level of recovery. Also, (86.6%) of the studied patients had high level of total functioning limitation and disabilities. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between the studied patients' total score of perceived social support and total score of recovery. While, there were a highly statistically significant negative correlations between total score of functioning limitation and disabilities and total score of perceived social support and also total score of recovery. Patients' social support is considered to be a critical factor in the prognosis of schizophrenia. Recommendations: Psycho-motivational training should be applied for patients with schizophrenia to improve their perceived social support, level of functioning and recovery.