[The role of social support, family burden and satisfaction with services in psychological distress and quality of life of families of individuals with schizophrenia].

This study conducted with a sample of 71 families of individuals suffering from schizophrenia, examines by means of regression analysis, the link between support that families receive from their social network, satisfaction with mental health services, family burden and their psychological distress and quality of life. These analyses reveal that three variables predict 31 % of the variance associated with psychological distress. These variables are : obtaining counselling and advisory guidance from their network, the burden associated with daily-living and the satisfaction of services. Five variables account for 63 % of the quality of life. More specifically, counselling and advisory guidance as well as reassurance of their worth by members of their network, the burden felt during daily-living, the burden associated with difficult behavior and finally, satisfaction with services. The components of social support are the strongest predictors associated with mental health of families of individuals suffering from schizophrenia.