Is psychosocial rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients preventing family burden? A comparative study.

This study examined the dimensions of perceived burden by caregivers-relatives of patients suffering from schizophrenia and participating in a rehabilitation programme (group A) compared to a group of patients and their corresponding caregivers who were maintained in regular treatment procedure (group B). Subjective and objective burden perceived by caregivers group A patients attending a rehabilitation programme, was found to be lower compared to that of group B of caregivers of patients in regular maintenance treatment. Low level of functioning of patients was correlated with higher degree of family burden and the more psychological distress of the caregiver. The patient's compliance with medication and psychosocial functioning as well as the participation in a rehabilitation programme, the diagnostic subtypes and the mean daily hours spent with the patient were found to predict the presence of burden of caregiver. It seems that the various socio-therapeutic activities of rehabilitation improve patient's levels of psychosocial functioning, and alleviate the serious psychosocial and emotional problems of caregivers caused by their relative's chronic and severe illness.