Knowledge and expressed emotions of caregivers towards schizophrenia

Pages:70-75
V. Jaikumar and N. Prabhu (Department of Psychiatry, Government Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
M. Fatima Jessy (Social Welfare Officer, Government Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu)

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder affecting 3-5 / 1000 of the general population at any given time in any society. In India, caregivers in the family play a vital role in providing care by attending to the physical and emotional needs of their ill relatives. It tends to affect young people during their most productive years and, if left untreated, the illness can continue till their end. The management of schizophrenia can be challenging. Hence, it is inevitable that the caregivers need to have knowledge about illness, treatment and available support for effective management. The aim of the study was to examine the level of knowledge about illness and expressed emotions among the caregivers of persons with schizophrenia. The total 120 caregivers who involved in providing care of persons with schizophrenia were samples. The caregivers of persons with schizophrenia diagnosed falling under International Classification of Disease 10 diagnostic criteria were selected using purposive sampling technique. Knowledge about Schizophrenia Interview (KASI) and Family Attitude Questionnaire (FAQ) were used for assessment. The findings revealed that male caregivers have better knowledge in diagnosis (t=2.05*, p<.05) while females have higher knowledge in course and prognosis (t=2.65**, p<.01). They have inadequate knowledge in other dimensions of KASI such as in symptomatology, etiology, medication and management of schizophrenia. They also had higher scores in their expressed emotions like critical comments, hostility, dissatisfaction and emotional over involvement and less score in warmth. The finding suggests need for psycho -educational intervention to enhance knowledge about schizophrenia and to improve positive emotional atmosphere.