Patients' perceptions of family emotional climate and outcome in schizophrenia.
Thirty-nine chronic schizophrenic male out-patients and their relatives were interviewed separately to assess their perceptions of their current relationships. Two simple 5-point rating scales predicted the risk of psychotic exacerbation during a one-year follow-up: patients' perceptions of the relatives' attitudes towards them, and patients' own attitudes towards the relatives. Survival analysis of data in a 2 x 2 factorial--combining degree of contact with the key relatives and the patients' perceptions of their relatives--found that patients in frequent contact with a positively perceived relative had significantly better survival rates without psychotic exacerbation. Patients' perceptions of their relatives may help identify patients at risk of exacerbation of their illness.
Lebell
M B
MB
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Brentwood Division, CA 90073.
Marder
S R
SR
Mintz
J
J
Mintz
L I
LI
Tompson
M
M
Wirshing
W
W
Johnston-Cronk
K
K
McKenzie
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology