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An exploration of the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Jane Simms  and
Ciaran Mulholland
Jane Simms*
Affiliation:
School of Communication, University of Ulster, Shore Road Newtownabbey, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland
Ciaran Mulholland
Affiliation:
Division of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, The Queen's University of Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland
*
Correspondence E-mail: j.simms@ulster.ac.uk
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Abstract

Objective: Depressive symptoms in schizophrenia have previously been associated with a perceived lack of social support. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived social support and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia; to assess the psychological wellbeing of their carers; and to examine the quality of the relationship between the patients and their carers.

Method: Individuals with schizophrenia (n = 17) were assessed on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), a measure of perceived social support, the Significant Others Scale (SOS) and the Quality of Relationship Inventory (QRI).

Results: The mean score on the BDI for patients fell within the moderate-severe range and the mean range on the BHS fell within the moderate range. Family and friends were perceived as supportive resources by patients. There was no significant relationship between patient depressive symptoms or hopelessness and perceived social support. Carers of patients did not report high rates of depressive symptoms or hopelessness.

Conclusions: These findings do not support the previous finding of an association between depressive symptoms and a perceived lack of social support in schizophrenia.

Keywords

SchizophreniaDepressionSocial Support.
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , September 2008 , pp. 104 - 107
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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