Stigma, Perception of Social Support, and Functionality Levels of Schizophrenia Patients With and Without Legal Guardianship

Background: The aim of our study was to determine the levels of internalized stigma, perceived social support, and social functioning of schizophrenia patients who made a guardianship decision and to investigate the effects of these parameters on the guardianship decision.

Methods: A total of 160 patients, including 80 patients who were hospitalized in the psychiatric inpatient services of our hospital between December 1, 2021, and November 1, 2022, between the ages of 18 and 65, who were diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 diagnostic criteria (n=80) and received guardianship and 80 patients (n=80) who did not receive guardianship were included in the study. Sociodemographic data from the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, Social Functioning Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were administered to the study group.

Results: Fifty percent of the patients (n=80) made a guardianship decision. The number of hospitalizations and duration of illness were significantly higher in the group of patients who took the guardianship decision, whereas the scores of interpersonal functioning and perceived social support from the family were significantly lower (P=.049, P=.009). The number of hospitalizations, substance use, interpersonal functioning, perceived discrimination, and perceived social support from family and friends were determined as factors that facilitate the guardianship decision (P < .05, P < .001).

Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, it is necessary to reduce the number of hospitalizations, substance use, and perceived discrimination among patients with schizophrenia and to enhance the social support and interpersonal relationships provided by family and friends.

Cite this article as: İzci F, Fidan Y, Çallı S, Aslan M. Stigma, perception of social support, and functionality levels of schizophrenia patients with and without legal guardianship. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. 2024;34(1):74-81.