PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AS A PREDICTOR OF SOCIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL FUNCTIONING- A STUDY ON PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

ABSTRACT

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic illness which can lead to functional impairment and dysfunction in interpersonal relationships. Aims and objectives: The present study aims to explore perceived social support, social and occupational functioning among persons with schizophrenia and to find out the association between them. Methods: Descriptive study design was used to select sample. A total of 60 persons with Schizophrenia (ICD-10) were selected using purposive sampling, fulfilling the inclusion criteria and consents were taken for assessment. Socio-demographic data sheet, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Social and Occupational Functioning scale (SOFS) were administered. The present study was undertaken with the permission of scientific and institute ethics committee. Collected data were analyzed using the software (Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences, SPSS 25.0). Results: 60% of persons with schizophrenia experience moderate to severe impairment in social and occupational functioning with 60% moderate level of perceived social support. There is significant negative correlation between perceived social support and social and occupational functioning [r= -367**, (p= 0.01)] and in regression analysis perceived social support is a strong contributor to the variance of social and occupational functioning in persons with schizophrenia (Beta=.401, t=-3.184, p=.002). Conclusion: An enhanced social support will help the better the social and  Occupational functioning.