Schizophrenia patients' family environment. internalized stigma and quality of life

Objectives: This descriptive study was performed to determine the family environment, internalized stigma and thequality of life of schizophrenia patients.Methods: This study was performed between December 2011 and February 2012 with 51 outpatients and 51 patientrelatives who were diagnosed with schizophrenia under DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) and whowere being monitored in clinical remission at the outpatient psychiatry clinic of Erzincan State Hospital. The study datawere collected using a descriptive questionnaire, the Family Environment Scale (FES), the Internalized Stigma of MentalIllness Scale and the Abbreviated Turkish Version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire.Results: This study found no significant difference between the mean scores of the patients and their relatives’ interpersonal relationships (43.94±8.20, 27.10±5.59) and control (46.29±6.72, 26.57±4.30) in the family environment (p>0.05).The patients’ mean score on the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale was 76.12±17.15. On its subscales, theywere: alienation (15.63±4.41), stereotype endorsement (18.24±4.20), perceived discrimination (13.67±4.09), stigma resistance (12.35±3.6) and social withdrawal (16.24±5.21). and the patients’ perceptions of quality of life were: physical(12.00±2.75), mental (11.11±3.02), social (9.15±3.72), and environmental (11.56±2.61).Conclusion: This study found no difference between the patients and their relatives’ perceptions of interpersonal relationships and control. The patients perceived internalized stigma above the moderate level. Their quality of life evaluations were at a moderate level. As their perceived internalized stigma level went up, their quality of life areas significantlydecreased, and their perception of interpersonal relationships and control in the family environment increased significantly in the positive direction. It is important that psychiatric nurses assess the factors that affect patients’ relapses andtreatment such as family environment and internalized stigma. They should also develop and implement programs.