Family Functioning Among Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia in Baghdad city

Abstract

objective: To determine the family functioning among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and its association with patient’s and caregiver’s socio-demographic characteristics.Methodology: Sixty caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were recruited during their relatives' in-patient psychiatric hospitals: Baghdad Teaching Hospital, 10th floor, and Ibn-Rushd Psychiatric Hospital. Caregivers were interviewed and the data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire through using the Family Functioning Scale. Then, data were analyzed by using descriptive statistical measures and inferential statistical measures "Linear Regression".Results: All the dimensions of the family functioning are healthy. There was significant association between patients’ clinical characteristics and caregivers’ socio-demographic characteristics with family functioning.Recommendations: The researchers recommend conducting a longitudinal studies on family caregivers, using psychiatric and family assessment / intervention for those caregivers with family dysfunction