title: Schizophrenia: Impact on Family Dynamics.
abstract: In many societies, family members are now the primary caregivers of mental health patients, taking on responsibilities traditionally under the purview of hospitals and medical professionals. The impact of this shift on the family is high, having both an emotional and economic toll. The aim of this paper is to review the main changes that occur in family dynamics for patients with schizophrenia. The article addresses three central themes: (i) changes in the family at the onset of the disorder, (ii) consequences for family members because of their caregiver role, and (iii) family interventions aimed at improving the complex dynamics within the family. After analyzing and discussing these themes, it is observed that despite advances in the field, the viability of taking care of a patient with schizophrenia by the family remains a challenge. Improving care will require commitments from the family, the mental health service system, and local and national governments for greater investments to improve the quality of life of society in general and individuals with schizophrenia in particular.
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Psicología y Filosofía, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avenida 18 de Septiembre 2222, Arica, Chile. acaqueo@uta.cl.|Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115-6018, USA. acaqueo@uta.cl.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caqueo-Urízar
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rus-Calafell
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas K J
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psiquiatría, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.|Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Matias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irarrazaval
authors.affiliation: Universidad Católica del Norte, Avda. Angamos 0610, Antofagasta, Chile.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urzúa
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, EA 3279 - Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life - Research Unit, 13005, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115-6018, USA.|Department of African and African American Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D000070516:Intersectoral Collaboration; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Care; Dynamic; Family; Impact; Schizophrenia