Effect of family environment and family function on suicide behavior in schizophrenic patients

Abstract

Objective To examine the effect of family environment and family function on suicide behavior in schizophrenic patients. Methods 53 schizophrenic patients with suicidal behavior in the last month were selected for the schizophrenic suicide group.53 schizophrenic patients and 53 normal controls matched with the schizophrenic suicide group were selected for the schizophrenic no suicide group and normal control group. All of them completed family environment scale and family assessment device. Results The cohesion factor, the expressiveness factor, the active-recreational orientation factor and the control factor of family environment scale in the schizophrenic suicide group were significant lower than those in the schizophrenic without suicide group(separately 5.70±1.29 vs 6.62±1.23, 4.77±1.49 vs 5.96±1.11, 3.94±1.63 vs 5.68±1.98, 2.68±1.68 vs 4.40±1.81, P﹤0.05), but the conflict factor in the schizophrenic suicide group was higher than in the schizophrenic without suicide group(3.55±1.60 vs 2.81±1.52, P﹤0.05). The affective responsiveness factor, the affective involvement factor and the behavior control factor of family assessment device in the schizophrenic suicide group were significant lower than those in the schizophrenic without suicide group(separately 16.05±2.57 vs 14.53±3.38, 19.13±4.09 vs 16.58±2.82, 23.35±3.52 vs 21.60±3.25, P﹤0.05). Multiple liner regression analyses showed that the expressiveness factor, the active-recreational orientation factor, the control factor, the affective involvement factor and the behavior control factor were important factors for schizophrenic suicide(F=21.583, P=0.000, adjusted R2=0.519). Conclusion Attempted suicide patients with schizophrenia have some deficiencies at family function and family environment. Key words: Schizophrenia; Family function; Family environment; Attempted suicide