Families Of Schizophrenic Patients Research Articles

Family Experience with Emotional Impact on The Care of Patients with Schizophrenia At Home: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: The emotional impact experienced by families of schizophrenic patients who are treated at home is considered a community mental health problem that does not receive serious attention from health professionals. Families or caregivers who care for schizophrenic patients at home have the risk to experience mental disorders due to the emotional impact they experience.Objective: To review the journal thats comprehensively explain the emotional impact on the family life of schizophrenic patients.Methods: The database in this review are studies in Scopus, Science Direct, Proquest, and EBSCOhost from 2017 to 2022. Critical appraisal in research that appropriate the inclusion criteria be conducted dependently by author and adviser using the CASP ceklist for review.Results: Six articles met the inclusion criteria for review show that families or caregivers of schizophrenic patients are affected emotionally, significantly on their lives especially their mental health. They feel overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated, angry, depressed, and/or anxious, irritable, painful emotions, getting pressured, wanting to end life, showing poor quality of life in terms of physical, emotional, and mental health.Conclusion: Most of family with schizophrenic patien emotionally effected and have the risk for mental disorders.

THE FAMILY KNOWLEDGE AND THE RECURRENCE OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a type of high-level disorder that has behaviors such as aggressive and often screaming hysterically. This mental health often experiences recurrences after being hospitalized because it has entered the most severe type of disorder. Families whose family members have schizophrenia need to know about the treatment of schizophrenic patients. The purpose of the study was to describe between the level of family knowledge and the recurrence rate of schizophrenic patients at the Pekuncen 1 Health Center, Banyumas Regency. Method: Descriptive study research design with cross- sectional time approach. The samples in this study were families of schizophrenic patients in the work area of the Pekuncen Health Center 1 Pekuncen District, Banyumas Regency totaling 60 people with a total sampling technique. The research instrument uses a questionnaire. Data analysis using spearman-rank test. Results: The results showed that the family knowledge of schizophrenic patients in the category was sufficient (50%). The recurrence rate of schizophrenic patients is in the high category (60%). The results of the spearman rank correlation test obtained the results of a p-value of 0.0001 and a rho value of -0.453. Conclusion: The conclusion is that there is a moderate and negative relationship between the level of family knowledge and the level of recurrence of schizophrenic patients at the Pekuncen 1 Health Center, Banyumas Regency. Keywords: knowledge; recurrence; schizophrenia

THE FAMILY KNOWLEDGE AND THE RECURRENCE OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a type of high-level disorder that has behaviors such as aggressive and often screaming hysterically. This mental health often experiences recurrences after being hospitalized because it has entered the most severe type of disorder. Families whose family members have schizophrenia need to know about the treatment of schizophrenic patients. The purpose of the study was to describe between the level of family knowledge and the recurrence rate of schizophrenic patients at the Pekuncen 1 Health Center, Banyumas Regency. Method: Descriptive study research design with cross- sectional time approach. The samples in this study were families of schizophrenic patients in the work area of the Pekuncen Health Center 1 Pekuncen District, Banyumas Regency totaling 60 people with a total sampling technique. The research instrument uses a questionnaire. Data analysis using spearman-rank test. Results: The results showed that the family knowledge of schizophrenic patients in the category was sufficient (50%). The recurrence rate of schizophrenic patients is in the high category (60%). The results of the spearman rank correlation test obtained the results of a p-value of 0.0001 and a rho value of -0.453. Conclusion: The conclusion is that there is a moderate and negative relationship between the level of family knowledge and the level of recurrence of schizophrenic patients at the Pekuncen 1 Health Center, Banyumas Regency. Keywords: knowledge; recurrence; schizophrenia

GAMBARAN TINGKAT KECEMASAN KELUARGA DENGAN SALAH SATU ANGGOTA KELUARGANYA MENDERITA SKIZOFRENIA DI POLIKLINIK JIWA RUMAH SAKIT JIWA PROVINSI BALI TAHUN 2012

Background: The presence of schizophrenia in the family is a very heavy stressor that must be borne by the family. Families who have family members with schizophrenia can increase stress and family anxiety. The purpose of this study was to describe the level of anxiety of families with one of their family members suffering from schizophrenia at Poliklinik Jiwa Rumah Sakit Jiwa Provinsi Bali. Method: This research is a quantitative research with descriptive research design with consecutive sampling technique, with a sample of 30 respondents. Results: Most of the families of schizophrenia patients experienced mild anxiety levels of 12 (40.0%) respondents, moderate anxiety as many as 11 (36.7%) respondents, severe anxiety as many as 6 (20.0%) respondents, and panic was experienced by 1 (3.3%) respondents. Conclusion: Most of the families of schizophrenic patients experience mild anxiety, as many as 12 with symptoms often feeling lethargic, muscle twitch, tremor, and often feeling short of breath.Key words: Family; Anxiety; Skizofrenia

Family care model development in treating schizophrenia patients that have self-deficit nursing based system

The purpose of this study is to develop a family care model in treating schizophrenia patients who experience self-deficit based on the nursing system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explanatory research design with cross-sectional approach. The population in this study were all families of schizophrenic patients in two mental health institutions in Bangkalan, Indonesia with a total sample of 72 families. The research instrument used was a re-control checklist sheet and a questionnaire about family factors and conditioning factors, nursing system, and self-deficit observations. Data analysis was performed using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) using PLS (partial least square) software. Family factors affect Nursing System with a value (T-statistic 2.079), the conditioning factor affects Nursing System with a value (T-statistic 24,827), and Nursing System affects the Self Deficit with a value (T-statistic 4,104). Family factors and Conditioning factors make a major contribution in influencing the nursing system so that the nursing system has a significant impact on the self-care process in schizophrenic patients who experience self-deficit.

Relationship between Caregiver Burden and Expressed Emotion in Families of Schizophrenic Patients

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a clinical syndrome that is variable, but highly disturbing; its psychopathology involves cognition, emotion, perception, and other aspects of behavior. Schizophrenic patients who are hospitalized, who return to a family environment characterized by high levels of criticism, excessive emotional involvement, or hostility (referred to as high expressed emotion), are more likely to experience the recurrence than schizophrenic patients returning to families characterized by low expressed emotion.
 AIM: We aimed to investigate relationship between caregiver burden and expressed emotion in families of schizophrenic patients.
 METHOD: This research is an analytic study with a cross-sectional approach. The research site is in the outpatient installation of BLUD Mental Health Hospital of North Sumatra Province using consecutive sampling non-probability sampling. The samples are family members who carry schizophrenic patients go to an outpatient installation at the BLUD Mental Health Hospital of North Sumatra Province that meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
 RESULT: The burden of care for the families of the most schizophrenic patients was mid load as many as 36 people, namely 36%, light burden of 34 people, 34%, no burden of 18 people, 18%, and heavy burden of 12 people, 12%. There is a significant relationship between the burden of treatment with expressed emotion, which is 0.004 (p < 0.05).
 CONCLUSION: In this study showed a significant relationship between the burden of treatment with expressed emotion (p = 0.004). This study is in accordance with the study conducted by Darwin in 2013, and Carra in 2012, which showed that there was a significant relationship between the burdens of treatment with expressed emotion in the families of schizophrenic patients. Other studies also show that the burden of care has an impact on emotional, physical health, social life, and financial status as a result of caring for sick people.

Overview Of Family Emotional And Instrumental Support Of Schhizophrenic Patients With Social Isolation

Background: Schizophrenia is a persistent psychotic disorder that includes disturbances in behavior, emotions, and perceptions. Symptoms of schizophrenia are social isolation. Social isolation is the state of an individual experiencing a decline or even being completely unable to interact with other people around him. The physical impact of patients with social isolation if not addressed will cause more serious problems including; self-care deficits, and hallucinations which can eventually lead to violent behavior and suicidal actions. Family support or the role of the family in educating family members greatly influences the occurrence or absence of mental disorders. Objective: This study aims to describe the family's emotional and instrumental support for schizophrenic patients with social isolation in the work area of the Ciamis Health Center in 2020. Method: The research method used is descriptive. The population in this study were families of schizophrenic patients with social isolation disorders in the Work Area of the Ciamis Health Center as many as 15 people. Samples were taken using the total sampling technique. Result: The results showed that most of the emotional support in schizophrenic patients with social isolation was categorized as unsupportive by as many as 9 people (60%) and instrumental support in schizophrenic patients with social isolation was mostly categorized as unsupportive by as many as 8 people (53.3%). Conclusion: description of emotional support and instrumental support in schizophrenic patients with social isolation in the Work Area of the Ciamis Health Center, most of which are categorized as not supportive.

Relationship between Caregiver Burden and Expressed Emotion in Families of Schizophrenic Patients.

BACKGROUND:Schizophrenia is a clinical syndrome that is variable, but highly disturbing; its psychopathology involves cognition, emotion, perception, and other aspects of behaviour. Schizophrenic patients who are hospitalised, who return to a family environment characterised by high levels of criticism, excessive emotional involvement, or hostility (referred to as high expressed emotion) are more likely to experience the recurrence than schizophrenic patients returning to families characterised by low expressed emotion.AIM:We aimed to investigate the level of care load in the families of schizophrenic patients.METHODS:This research is an analytic study with a cross-sectional approach. The research site is in the outpatient installation of BLUD Mental Health Hospital of North Sumatra Province using consecutive non-probability sampling. The samples are family members who carry schizophrenic patients go to an outpatient installation at the BLUD Mental Health Hospital of North Sumatra Province that meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria.RESULTS:The burden of care for the families of the most schizophrenic patients was mid load as many as 36 people, namely 36%, the light burden of 34 people, 34%, no burden of 18 people, 18%, and the heavy burden of 12 people, 12%. There is a significant relationship between the burden of treatment with expressed emotion, which is 0.004 (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION:In this study, we showed a significant relationship between the burden of treatment with expressed emotion (p = 0.004). This study is by the study conducted by Darwin in 2013, and Carra in 2012, which showed that there was a significant relationship between the burden of treatment with expressed emotion in the families of schizophrenic patients. Other studies also show that the burden of care has an impact on emotional, physical health, social life, and financial status as a result of caring for sick people.

The Effectiveness of Proposed Counseling Program on Reducing Level of Stigma among Families of Schizophrenic Patients in Gaza Strip

General Objective: Aim of this study was to know the effectiveness of proposed counseling program on reducing level of stigma among families of schizophrenic patients in Gaza strip. Study design: Case Control Study. Approach of intervention group and control group. Sample: The sample of the study was (38) participants divided into two groups, (17) Participants for intervention group and another (21) participants for control group. Homogeneity between the two groups in demographic variables was statistically achieved. Stigma Scale prepared by the researcher himself are used to evaluate Stigma level among the participants. Both groups, intervention and control, completed the Stigma Scale before and after applying the counseling program. The counseling program consists of (12) sessions, each session (45) minutes. The program techniques were (De-briefing, relaxation exercise, psychodrama, and religious counseling Results: The results of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences in stigma level of the intervention group before and after applying the counseling program. ETA square value was high (D = 7.9) this means that the counseling program has a positive effect on reducing the level of stigma among the intervention group. The percentage of change was (45.9%) for the intervention group at the level of stigma after applying the program where the efficiency value ranged between (35.7% - 52.6%). Furthermore, after one month there was no statistically significant differences between the scores of post test and the score of sequential test of stigma scale (P.value was //0.27 ), Z.value was (-1.15). This ensures the continuity of the positive impact of counseling program on reducing level of stigma among the intervention group. Recommendations: This counseling program could be used to reduce level of stigma among families of schizophrenic patients and building other programs to treat other negative effects related to stigma of mental illness.

The Effectiveness of Proposed Counseling Program on Reducing Level of Stigma among Families of Schizophrenic Patients in Gaza Strip

General Objective: Aim of this study was to know the effectiveness of proposed counseling program on reducing level of stigma among families of schizophrenic patients in Gaza strip. Study design: Case Control Study. Approach of intervention group and control group. Sample: The sample of the study was (38) participants divided into two groups, (17) Participants for intervention group and another (21) participants for control group. Homogeneity between the two groups in demographic variables was statistically achieved. Stigma Scale prepared by the researcher himself are used to evaluate Stigma level among the participants. Both groups, intervention and control, completed the Stigma Scale before and after applying the counseling program. The counseling program consists of (12) sessions, each session (45) minutes. The program techniques were (De-briefing, relaxation exercise, psychodrama, and religious counseling Results: The results of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences in stigma level of the intervention group before and after applying the counseling program. ETA square value was high (D = 7.9) this means that the counseling program has a positive effect on reducing the level of stigma among the intervention group. The percentage of change was (45.9%) for the intervention group at the level of stigma after applying the program where the efficiency value ranged between (35.7% - 52.6%). Furthermore, after one month there was no statistically significant differences between the scores of post test and the score of sequential test of stigma scale (P.value was //0.27 ), Z.value was (-1.15). This ensures the continuity of the positive impact of counseling program on reducing level of stigma among the intervention group. Recommendations: This counseling program could be used to reduce level of stigma among families of schizophrenic patients and building other programs to treat other negative effects related to stigma of mental illness.

EFEKTIFITAS PEMBERIAN FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCATION (FPE) TERHADAP KEPATUHAN MINUM OBAT PENDERITA SKIZOFRENIA DI KOTA KEDIRI

ABSTRACT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCATION (FPE) ON DRUG SUBSTITUTION OF SKIZOFRENIA PATIENTS IN THE CITY OF KEDIRI Dhita Kurnia Sari 1, Lingga Kusuma Wardani 2 STIKes Surya Mitra Husada Kediri deeniasari88@gmail.com&#x0D; Schizophrenia is one type of psychotic disorders that often experience relapse. About 33% of people with schizophrenia experience recurrence and about 12.1% re-experienced hospitalization. Discontinuation of drugs is a major cause of recurrence of schizophrenic patients. The family of schizophrenic patients is a very important variable in the recurrence of schizophrenic patients. Allegedly the biggest factor in its effect on adherence to taking the drug of schizophrenia is family factor. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of family psychoeducation therapy on adherence to taking the drug of schizophrenia patients. The design used in this research is pre-experiment. The population in the study were all families of schizophrenic patients in Kediri. Sampling technique in this research is taken by Purposive Sampling. The independent variable is the provision of family psychoeducatin therapy and the dependent variable in this study is the adherence to taking the drug of schizophrenic patients. Data were collected by observation sheet, then analyzed using Mc Nemar test with significance level a£ 0,05. The results of the study of adherence to the treatment of schizophrenic patients before given the family psychoeducation of 20 respondents who did not obey 20 respondents (100%), whereas after given the family psychoeducation obedient 17 (85%) and disobedient 3 (15%), from the results of statistical tests with using Mc Nemar test obtained p value 0,000 &lt;α 0.05 means there is influence of adherence to medication before and after given family psycoeducation. Family knowledge and ability to cope with stressors while caring for family members with schizophrenia can create a comfortable and conducive environment that helps restore the client's condition and reduce and prevent noncompliance with schizophrenia medication.&#x0D; Keywords: adherence, family psychoeducation, schizophrenia

Hyper-réflexivité et perspective en première personne : un apport décisif de la psychopathologie phénoménologique contemporaine à la compréhension de la schizophrénie

ObjectivesThis paper considers the hypothesis of schizophrenic hyper reflexivity, which originates in the field of phenomenological psychopathology. It discusses the methodological context enabling these highly subjective manifestations to emerge. Starting from the seminal hypothesis developed by contemporary psychopathology that schizophrenic patients experience a form of consciousness that finds itself forced to question phenomena that should be intuitively self-evident, the idea of the present paper is to complete the usual interpretation of schizophrenia as a deficit by the hypothesis of an excessive functioning of consciousness. MethodsThe first-person perspective is a qualitative approach completing the third-person interpretation, traditional in the field of psychiatry, which consists in the attribution, from an external position, of clinical signs noted independently from the perceptions expressed by the patient. The first-person perspective focuses on the patient's subjective experience as expressed by that individual. To understand schizophrenia according to this perspective, the narratives of several schizophrenic patients were collected in a clinical setting. We used the EASE scale (Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience) for this purpose. This scale offers a phenomenologically-oriented semi-structured exploration of a set of difficulties revealing anomalies in subjective experience, considered as self-awareness disturbances. EASE was developed on the basis of self-descriptions by patients suffering from schizophrenic spectrum disorders. This tool enables the co-construction of a language between patient and clinician, focused on the patient's particular experiences and the unique phenomena he has to cope with. ResultsAlongside the hyper reflexivity phenomena, the qualitative analyses of the descriptions collected highlight two important features of schizophrenic being-in-the-world. First a common sense issue, which raises the question of inter-subjectivity and the scope for schizophrenic patients to share in a social world. Secondly, the existence of an intercorporeality disturbance, since the schizophrenic hyper reflexivity experiences are accompanied by a loss of the “common body”, the body being the scene where inter-subjectivity is played out. DiscussionThe use of the EASE scale and the application of the first-person perspective provides a relevant psychotherapeutic approach, both in the process of acknowledgement of the illness (required from the patient as well as from the clinician), and in communication with the families of schizophrenic patients. ConclusionsThe phenomenological interpretation provided by the application of a first-person perspective in the understanding of schizophrenic patients’ experiences, and the inclusion of hyper reflexivity phenomenon, suggest perspectives on schizophrenia that are no longer reduced to a mere interpretation of deficit (without denying the deficit), showing not a weakening, but a surprising intensification of consciousness.

The Effect of Psychoeducational Interventions on Illness Management in Families of Schizophrenic Patients

The Effect of Psychoeducational Interventions on Illness Management in Families of Schizophrenic Patients

La reazione del terapeuta al paziente nell’approccio sistemico-relazionale

The systemic-relational paradigm has its roots in America of the 50s and spread quickly to Europe and in Italy where it reached the peak of its popularity in the 80s. Its birth appears strictly connected to the profound dissatisfaction with classical psychoanalysis as well as to the social and cultural movements of that period. Harry Stack Sullivan’s interpersonal theory which he also applied in his work with families of schizophrenic patients can be considered a precursor. Through a historical and epistemological reconstruction of the theoretical model in question, the Authors go through all the steps that that have led to the development of countertransference in the systemic sense, therefore to its use as a therapeutic tool, analyzing the advantages and the problems related to the theoretical approach and clinical method.

Caregivers Burden of Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Sectional Study

Background:Caregiving has been identified as a basic component of human nature and a primary element of close relationship. This study aims to assess the extent and pattern of burden felt by the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in comparison with bipolar disorder.Materials and Methods:Fifty-two patients with schizophrenia and fifty-one patients with bipolar disorder attending the outpatient department were assessed in the study. The burden among the caregivers was assessed using Burden Assessment Schedule.Results:The caregivers of schizophrenia group had significantly higher total burden score as compared to caregivers of bipolar disorder. Caregivers of schizophrenia experienced significantly higher burden in area of external support, caregivers routine, and other relations.Conclusion:The extent of burden among families of schizophrenic patients is more than those of bipolar disorder. The families of patients with bipolar disorder do also experience considerable burden. The pattern of burden among families of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is almost identical in most of the domains except for external support, caregivers routine, and other relations.

924 – Synergetic integrative model of group psychotherapy for schizophrenic patient relatives

Introduction The authors propose an integrative approach in group work psychotherapy for schizophrenic patient’s relatives. This approach integrates three components into session: psycho education (knowledge for systemic family psychotherapy), cognitive behavior (family solving problem skills) and psychotherapy (reflection and coping strategies). These components are integrative for communication process, which provides their synergetic interaction within the theme educate limits. Objectives Study the effectiveness of a synergetic approach in enhancing the impact of rehabilitation. Aims Identifying markers of efficacy of the approach through a comparative analysis of the two groups of mothers of patients, one of whom used a synergistic approach, in the other using traditional programs. Methods SCL-90-R (Derogatis); URICA (McConnaughy); MSPSS(Zimet). Objective conclusion is provided by using Mann-Whitney U-test. Results Synergetic integrative approach to group therapy significantly affects the reduction of somatization (p = 0,05), depression (p = 0,01), hostility (p = 0,05) and Global Severity Index (p = 0,05). In participants of the experimental group was significantly higher overall perception of social support (p = 0,01), measures of social support from family (p = 0,05), friends (p = 0,01) and significant others (p = 0,05). Diagnostic stage of psychotherapeutic process showed that participants of the control group mostly are on initial stages of therapy, while the experimental group members are at a mature stage. Conclusions Synergetic integrative approach showed high efficiency to work with the families of schizophrenic patients by reducing the level of psychiatric symptoms, enhance feelings of social support and accelerate the psychotherapeutic process.

Rol educativo del profesional de enfermería hacia los familiares de pacientes esquizofrénicos

The core aim of the study was to determine the role of nurses’ education towards the families of schizophrenic patients at the Psychiatric Hospital. Maracaibo, Venezuela. Period: September 2009 - February 2010. The design was cross-sectional, with a target population of 30 families, who answered a questionnaire of 20 items. The analysis and interpretation of the data was based on descriptive statistics. Results: In relation to the health promotion dimension, more than half the nursing staff informed them about mental illness suffered by their relatives. A high percentage of the population studied stated that informative billboards, distributed at the hospital, did not provide information on the latest scientific advances in the field of psychiatry. In addition, more than half of the population reported that during the visits, nurses did not give them scientific information about the importance of recognizing symptoms of mental illness. Also, they expressed that the nursing staff explained to them about drug treatment and their effects, but they did not give them diet recommendations. More than half of the relatives stated that nursing staff did not inform them about patients’ rights and duties. Regarding the psychosocial dimension, respondents said that nursing staff did not notify them about the health of their patients and they did not help them to express their fears or manifestations of support through physical contact nor did they show concern or interest in their patients’ problems. However, there was a high frequency of responses stating that nursing staff did allow free expression of their feelings and provided information about medical procedures and specific measures of healthcare. They were satisfied with the healthcare provided by nurses. In relation to spiritual needs, the relatives said that the nursing staff showed respect for their religious beliefs. Finally, a high percentage of people expressed that nurses respected their beliefs and customs.

Reduced Fertility in Patients' Families Is Consistent with the Sexual Selection Model of Schizophrenia and Schizotypy

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a mental disorder marked by an evolutionarily puzzling combination of high heritability, reduced reproductive success, and a remarkably stable prevalence. Recently, it has been proposed that sexual selection may be crucially involved in the evolution of schizophrenia. In the sexual selection model (SSM) of schizophrenia and schizotypy, schizophrenia represents the negative extreme of a sexually selected indicator of genetic fitness and condition. Schizotypal personality traits are hypothesized to increase the sensitivity of the fitness indicator, thus conferring mating advantages on high-fitness individuals but increasing the risk of schizophrenia in low-fitness individuals; the advantages of successful schzotypy would be mediated by enhanced courtship-related traits such as verbal creativity. Thus, schizotypy-increasing alleles would be maintained by sexual selection, and could be selectively neutral or even beneficial, at least in some populations. However, most empirical studies find that the reduction in fertility experienced by schizophrenic patients is not compensated for by increased fertility in their unaffected relatives. This finding has been interpreted as indicating strong negative selection on schizotypy-increasing alleles, and providing evidence against sexual selection on schizotypy.MethodologyA simple mathematical model is presented, showing that reduced fertility in the families of schizophrenic patients can coexist with selective neutrality of schizotypy-increasing alleles, or even with positive selection on schizotypy in the general population. If the SSM is correct, studies of patients' families can be expected to underestimate the true fertility associated with schizotypy.SignificanceThis paper formally demonstrates that reduced fertility in the families of schizophrenic patients does not constitute evidence against sexual selection on schizotypy-increasing alleles. Futhermore, it suggests that the fertility estimates derived from extant studies may be biased to an unknown extent. These results have important implications for the evolutionary genetics of psychosis.

Family Functioning in Mental Illness: A Study in Thai Families with Depressive Disorders and Schizophrenia

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine differences in family functioning between the families of patients with depressive disorders and with schizophrenia. Method: Families of patients with the diagnoses of depressive disorders and the diagnosis of schizophrenia were compared, n = 30 each group. The instruments included a semistructured interview instrument of family functioning and the Chulalongkorn Family Inventory (CFI), which is a self-report questionnaire in the Thai language designed to assess the perception of one's family. Results: From the assessment with the semistructured interview instrument 96.7% of the families of patients with depressive disorders and 70.0% of the families of patients with schizophrenia were found to be dysfunctional. The difference was statistically significant (p < .01). The average number of dysfunctional dimensions in depressed families was significantly higher than in the schizophrenic group, 4.3 ± 1.2 and 2.4 ± 2.2 dimensions, respectively, p < .001. The dysfunctions were mostly in the following dimensions: problem solving, communication, affective responsiveness, and affective involvement. The mean CFI score of the depressed families was 86.07 (SD = 16.44) and that of the schizophrenic group was 105.97 (SD = 17.76), which reflected worse family functioning in the depressed group. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The analysis of psychosocial stressors found that depressed families faced more stressors and the average number of stressors was higher than for schizophrenic families, 4.9 ± 2.7 and 3.5 ± 2.6 stressors, respectively, p < .05. Conclusion: Different types of mental illness are associated with different patterns of family functioning. Families of depressed patients had less healthy functioning and faced more stressors than families of schizophrenic patients. Taking these differences into account will enable family therapists to intervene more effectively.

Neurocognitive deficits in first‐episode schizophrenic patients and their first‐degree relatives

Some neuropsychological abilities, particularly those affecting memory, attention and executive function, are impaired amongst both schizophrenic patients and their unaffected relatives, implying that these deficits are at least partly genetic in origin. However neuropsychological performance can be altered by medication, and has rarely been examined in first onset, drug naive patients. The objective of this study was to determine whether selected neurocognitive abilities are impaired in first-onset schizophrenic patients and their relatives compared to controls. We examined attention and speed of information processing, memory and learning, verbal function, visuoconstructive abilities and executive function in 207 first-episode schizophrenic patients (163 of whom were drug naïve), 322 of their first-degree relatives and 133 unrelated normal controls. The data were subjected to multilevel modeling to compare neurocognitive performance between schizophrenic probands, relatives and controls while taking into account potential correlations among members of the same family; age, gender, and years of education were included as covariates. Of the three groups, schizophrenic patients performed poorest at all neuropsychological tests, suggestive of a broad range of neurocognitive deficits. Their first-degree relatives showed a narrower pattern of poor performance at Digit Symbol, Digit Span, Trail Making, Verbal Fluency test, Tower of Hanoi, and WCST-M tests. Our findings show that selected neurocognitive deficits especially attention and executive function are impaired in the families of schizophrenic patients. These patterns of neurocognitive deficits may represent "endophenotypes" denoting varying degrees of vulnerability to schizophrenia and may be of value in future molecular genetic studies.