Distal Support in Individuals Diagnosed with Schizophrenia

[摘要] Community integration for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia is essential to successful community tenure. Most of the research and clinical emphasis on the process of integration has been focused on the successes in normative goals (e.g. employment, support networks). Little research has focused on how individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia integrate in the realm of public life involving the casual routine interactions with other community members, termed distal support in this study. This was a cross-sectional study specifically designed to develop a measure of distal support and to identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with fostering distal supports. Findings suggest that personality factors, particularly extraversion and openness, play a role in the process of fostering community distal supports while a higher functional status and lower symptom severity were found to have moderate associations. It was also found that a greater number of distal supports were associated with higher quality of life satisfaction ratings and sense of belonging scores. Contrary to the stated hypothesis, a greater number of distal supports were associated with a higher number of mental health contacts. This may be due, in part, to the confounding effects of the personality factors of extraversion and openness; both associated with a higher number of distal supports and with a greater willingness to seek support and to accept treatment during times of need. A greater understanding of what factors lead to successful community integration in this population has significant public health implications both in terms of improved quality of life and treatment interventions.

[发布机构] the University of Pittsburgh

[效力级别] weak ties