[Vacation for schizophrenic patients from inpatient treatment--stress for relatives]

Abstract

A sample of 45 schizophrenic (DSM-III) inpatients was used to investigate which types of behavior were experienced by family members during the first weekend leave as an emotional strain, and how this strain relates to the patients' symptoms. No type of behavior predominated in being found particularly disturbing: the strain was distributed evenly over all pathological behaviors. Estimation of pathological symptoms by nursing staff and therapists immediately before weekend leave did not predict the emotional load on family members. These results lead to the recommendation that patients' behavior on a psychiatric ward should not be used to make broad predictions about difficulties that will be experienced in family relationships. A better judgment will be obtained by sending patients home for trial periods and holding subsequent discussions with family members as well as patients.