Expressed Emotion and Social Support in Rehospitalized Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Background: The phenomenon of hospital readmission of the psychiatric patient has been a matter of concern ever since the concepts of deinstitutionalization and community care of these patients have been emphasized. There are pieces of evidence from the literature that the readmission rate has been increasing substantially. The role of psychiatric hospitals has shifted dramatically. Inpatient programs are now focused on acute stabilization, leaving most treatment to community­ based providers. Aim: Aim of the study is to assess the psychosocial aspects of re-hospitalization of psychiatric patients namely Bipolar Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia and difference between both the groups. Methods: On the basis of purposive sampling 100 re-hospitalized (50 Bipolar Affective Disorder and 50 Schizophrenia) patients were taken from inpatient IMH, Rohtak. The socio-demographic data sheet was filled-up for assessment of socio-cultural aspects, social support questionnaire was administered for the assessment of the level of social support and attitude questionnaire was applied on the caregivers for assessment of the level expressed emotion.  Results: Most of the re-hospitalized Schizophrenia patients face a high level of expressed emotion and poor social support in comparison to Bipolar Affective Disorder patients. Conclusion: Finding of the study illustrate that high expressed emotion and poor social support are associated with rehospitalization.