Prevalence of depression, anxiety symptoms and related factors in family members of schizophrenic patients in a Shanghai community

Abstract

Objective To examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms, and the related factors in family members of schizophrenic patients in a Shanghai community. Methods From March to May 2017, the family members of 206 schizophrenic patients registered in Xuhui district Kangjian community of Shanghai were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey. The participants were evaluated with Patient Health Questionnaire Self-rating Depression Scale (PHQ-9) and the Anxiety Screening Scale (GAD-7). The factors related to depression and anxiety symptoms were analyzed. Results The detection rates of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in the family members of schizophrenia patients were 40.3%(83/206) and 37.9%(78/206), respectively.Univariate analysis showed that the relationship with the patient, education levels were the influencing factors of depressive symptoms (χ2=17.045, 9.702; P<0.01); while age, relationship with the patient, education levels were factors related to the occurence of anxiety symptoms (χ2=11.862, 22.042, 15.060; P<0.01). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the parents of patient was more prone to depressive symptoms than spouses (OR=2.861, P<0.01); higher education was more prone to be depressive than primary education (OR=10.071, P<0.01). Age group 18-40 years were more prone to anxiety than the age group ≥66 years (OR=0.060, P<0.05); sibling relationship is more prone to anxiety than spouse relationship (OR=10.018, P<0.01), followed by parental relationship (OR=7.467, P<0.01); higher education was more prone to anxiety than primary education (OR=5.119, P<0.05). Conclusions There is high prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in family members of schizophrenic patients, which is related to the relationship with the patient, the education level of family members and other factors. Key words: Schizophrenia; Family members; Depression; Anxiety