[Correlations between some features of social networks and treatment outcome in patients with schizophrenia three years after initial hospitalization]

Abstract

There were studied correlations between some features of social networks of 56 DSM-III schizophrenic patients and "specific aims of treatment": insight, satisfaction of the treatment, compliance, motivation for the treatment and "outcome of treatment" in psychopathological and social level three years from the first admission. There were used Fallow-up Chart, Bizoń's Social Support Questionnaire, BPRS-LA scale and Social Assessment Scale (SAS). There were obtained statistically significant results concerning correlations between the type of support (concentrated, dispersed, and mixed) and the size of the extra-familiar network and the "specific aims" of treatment. This means that patients who have a mixed type of social support and a extended extra-familiar social network obtain better specific treatment aims as: motivation for treatment, co-operation in treatment, insight and a subjective satisfaction of treatment. There exists also significant correlation between some features of social network such as the range of network, the amount and localisation of support and the size of the extra-familiar network and the psychopathology level. The patients who get little support and those whose whole support is localised in family have higher level of negative symptoms measured with BPRS sub-scale. Patients of little range of the social network, including extra-familiar network show more positive symptoms three years after the first hospitalisation. There were found no correlations between the social network features and profession.