Abstract
The impact of social and clinical factors on the choice of coping strategies of a sample of 236 relatives of patients with schizophrenia, living in five European countries, was explored using well-validated questionnaires. The adoption of problem-focused coping strategies was more frequent among young relatives and among relatives of younger patients, and was associated with higher levels of practical and emotional social support and of professional help. In contrast, emotion-focused strategies were more frequently adopted by relatives who had been living longer with the patient and who had poorer social support. It is suggested that supportive and educational interventions should be provided as early as possible to relatives of patients with schizophrenia, which, in addition to having a practical focus, should also have a social focus, aiming at extending the family's social network.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 31 December 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Magliano, L., Fadden, G., Economou, M. et al. Social and clinical factors influencing the choice of coping strategies in relatives of patients with schizophrenia: results of the BIOMED I study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 33, 413–419 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001270050074
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001270050074