Family Burden and Social Support in Mental Illness: A Comparative Study in Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders

The present study was an attempt to assess and compare the global functioning of individuals affected with two major mental illnesses i.e. schizophrenia and mood disorders , social support perceived by them, and family burden and social support perceived by their caregivers. The individuals affected with schizophrenia were found to be more severely ill with a longer duration of illness, and perceived less social support as compared to those with mood disorders. The caregivers’ perceived social support was similar in both diagnostic groups. Family burden was significantly higher in the schizophrenia group. Some significant correlations were found among the key study variables.