Living situation and social network in schizophrenia

Abstract

A representative sample of 227 first-contact schizophrenia patients (DSM HI) were followed up for 5 years. The psychiatric teams responsible for the treatment of die patients conducted detailed, standardized interviews with the patients at entry and at the end of the 1st, 2nd, and 5th year. Changes in patients' social network were analysed in accordance with their family situation. Men more often lived with their parents and less often with a spouse than women; additionally, men had a tendency to move from living with a spouse to living with parents or outside family, while women showed the opposite tendency. Recovery of social networks was most prominent among patients who were living with their spouse. Instead, patients living outside families often lost their social contacts during follow-up. For patients living with their parents changes in social network were mainly explained by a selective migration of patients back to living with their parents. Family environment can be of great importance to schizophrenia patients in their social recovery from psychosis. At the same time, however, the families of schizophrenia patients need support from the psychiatric treatment system. Patients living outside families—and men in particular—are at great risk of losing their social contacts and therefore need network therapy.

Key Words:

• Follow-up study
• Living partner
• Schizophrenia
• Social network