[Minor relatives of schizophrenia patients: burden and needs].
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.
Krautgartner
Monika
M
Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie, Medizinische Universität Wien. monika.krautgartner@meduniwien.ac.at
Unger
Anne
A
Göessler
Ralf
R
Rittmannsberger
Hans
H
Simhandl
Christian
C
Grill
Wolfgang
W
Stelzig-Schöler
Renate
R
Doby
Dagmar
D
Wancata
Johannes
J
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