Family support and adaptation mechanisms of adults outpatients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: The presence of psychotic symptoms in adults’ with schizophrenia need an increase in family control and support to prevent the risk of aggressive behavior. However, the issue of whether psychotic symptoms hold any clinical relevance in relatively stable outpatient samples has not been established. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to identify the relationship between family supports and adaptation mechanisms of adults’ outpatients with schizophrenia. Design and methods: The study design involves quantitative research and descriptive correlation, attained through purposive sampling approach. 101 samples were obtained from the population of schizophrenia outpatients. The questionnaires of House & Kahn were used as an instrument to evaluate family support, while Nursalam questionnaires were used to access adaptation skills. Results: Findings from Spearman’s rho test showed P<0.005, indicating the provision of high family support, while patients were highly adaptive to the symptoms of schizophrenia. Conclusions: This study indicates the positive influence of family support on the adaptability of schizophrenia outpatients, hence there is need for relatives to provide good level of support, in order to facilitate adaptability.

Keywords

• family support
• adaptation mechanisms
• schizophrenia