Social functioning as a predictor of the use of mental health resources in patients with severe mental disorder.
Previous studies have tried to determine the factors causing greater use of health resources by patients with mental disorders. These studies have essentially focused on socio-economic variables. Nevertheless, many other variables, such as social functioning, have not yet been explored. This study aims to assess the effect of social functioning on mental health service use in a sample of patients with severe mental disorder (schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders or bipolar affective disorder) in an area of Spain. The Social Functioning Scale (SFS) was administered to 172 family members of patients with a severe mental disorder who were receiving care at a community mental health unit. Analysis of bivariate logistic regression identified specific areas as predictors of the use of mental health resources over a 12-month follow-up period. The overall social functioning score predicted need for hospital admissions. In addition, interpersonal behaviour had a major role in the number of outpatient visits, while social isolation significantly predicted the need for hospitalization. These results point out the necessity for including psychosocial variables, such as social functioning in current mental health resource use models.
University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Mental Health Service, Seville, Spain. Electronic address: bellido.gloria@gmail.com.
Gloria
G
Bellido-Zanin
University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Mental Health Service, Seville, Spain.
María Ángeles
MÁ
Pérez-San-Gregorio
Faculty of Psychology, Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, University of Seville, Spain.
Agustín
A
Martín-Rodríguez
University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Mental Health Service, Seville, Spain.
Antonio J
AJ
Vázquez-Morejón
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013030:Spain
Bipolar disorder; Community resources; Hospital admissions; Interpersonal behaviour; Prosocial activities; Schizophrenic disorders; Social isolation