[Coping strategies in spouses of schizophrenic patients].
OBJECTIVE
The study was carried out to explore the coping behaviour of spouses of schizophrenic patients.


METHODS
28 in-depth interviews were analysed with a view to discover the spouses' ways of dealing with illness-related burden.


RESULTS
Most spouses reported problem-focussed coping strategies, such as information seeking and crisis planning. Release-focussed coping strategies, such as relaxation activities, time-out and temporal disengagement, are likely to be used when the situation is perceived as unchangeable and spouses feel that they have to look after themselves as well. In the long-term, cognitive-emotional strategies are of great importance, aimed at the re-appraisal of the spouses' mental illness and a greater sense of self-efficacy in dealing with acute and everyday burden.


CONCLUSIONS
Spouses' coping strategies not only have a strong influence on their perception of burden, but also on marital satisfaction and on their commitment to the affected spouse.
Jungbauer
Johannes
J
Universität Leipzig, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie. jungbj@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Angermeyer
Matthias C
MC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*