title: [Minor relatives of schizophrenia patients: burden and needs].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the burden of minor relatives of schizophrenia patients and of the needs for support for the relatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  135 relatives of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders were assessed by using the "Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire" and the "Carers' Needs Assessment for Schizophrenia".
  
  
  RESULTS
  24.4% of the total sample (N=33) had minor (i.e. below 18 years) siblings (N=18) or children (N=15). If the patient had minor siblings, almost the half of the adult relatives reported moderate or severe problems. However, among those patients who had to take care for minor children, only a fifth reported moderate or severe problems. Among the patients' offsprings being under the age of 16 behavioural disturbances, reduced appetite and other consequences of the disease were reported frequently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders often have minor relatives in their family frequently suffering from marked burden.
authors: Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Medizinische Universität Wien. monika.krautgartner@meduniwien.ac.at
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Krautgartner
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Unger
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Göessler
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Rittmannsberger
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Simhandl
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Grill
authors: Renate
authors: R
authors: Stelzig-Schöler
authors: Dagmar
authors: D
authors: Doby
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Wancata
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033242:Minors / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires