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A study of the family burden of 150 family members of schizophrenic patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

B. Lowyck ,
M. De Hert ,
E. Peeters ,
M. Wampers ,
P. Gilis  and
J. Peuskens
B. Lowyck*
Affiliation:
Universitair Centrum St. Jozef, Catholic University Louvain, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
M. De Hert*
Affiliation:
Universitair Centrum St. Jozef, Catholic University Louvain, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
E. Peeters
Affiliation:
Universitair Centrum St. Jozef, Catholic University Louvain, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
M. Wampers
Affiliation:
Universitair Centrum St. Jozef, Catholic University Louvain, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
P. Gilis
Affiliation:
Eli Lilly Belgium, Stoofstraat 52, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
J. Peuskens
Affiliation:
Universitair Centrum St. Jozef, Catholic University Louvain, Leuvensesteenweg 517, 3070 Kortenberg, Belgium
*
*Email addresses:benedicte.lowyck@psy.kuleuven.ac.beEmail addresses:marc.de.hert@uc-kortenberg.be
*Email addresses:benedicte.lowyck@psy.kuleuven.ac.beEmail addresses:marc.de.hert@uc-kortenberg.be
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Abstract

Purpose

Investigation into the family burden (FB) of schizophrenic patients has recently risen sharply. Nevertheless, to date there has been little consensus as to what factors influence the FB. The purpose of this study is to acquire a greater insight into the variables that influence the FB.

Subjects/Methods

The FB was measured with the interview for the family burden (Kluiter H, Kramer JJAM, Wiersma D, et al. Interview voor de belasting van de familie 1997 [Interview for the burden on the family]. Department Sociale Psychiatrie. Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit). One hundred and fifty family members (parents/partners) of schizophrenic patients participated in the study.

Results

The results of our study show (1) that family members experience burden both on a practical and an emotional level, (2) a highly significant correlation between the amount of symptomatic behaviour of the patient and FB, (3) that parents had taken on more tasks, had contributed more financially and had experienced a tenser atmosphere at home than partners did and (4) that family members of patients who have been treated for less than 1 year worry more about the other members of their family than family members of patients who have been receiving treatment for more than 1 year.

Conclusions

Family members of schizophrenic patients experience burden on a practical, financial and emotional level and the extent of the burden is closely linked to the amount of symptomatic behaviour of the patient.

Keywords

BurdenFamily membersSchizophrenia
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 19 , Issue 7 , November 2004 , pp. 395 - 401
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2004

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