Social and emotional intelligence as a basis for communicative resource formation in family caregivers of patients with endogenous mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine features of social and emotional intelligence in family caregivers of patients with endogenous mental disorders as a basis for communicative resource formation in family where a patient lives. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A total of 273 family caregivers of patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were involved into this survey under informed consent conditions. Control group included 55 mentally healthy respondents, in whose families there is no mentally sick family member. Emotional intelligence of family caregivers was measured using the psychodiagnostic test "EQ" by N. Hall. To assess level of social intelligence the J. Gilford and M. Sullivan test (in adaptation done by Mikhailova E.S.) was used. Values of p <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Results: The study revealed that family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders demonstrate a decrease in emotional and social intelligence indicators, which creates significant obstacles for effective interpersonal family communication and for the harmonious functioning of a family, in which a mentally sick patient lives, in general. Difficulties of emotional regulation, emotional management, recognition of emotional states of other participants of communication related to the level of emotional and social intelligence of FC are factors, that complicate interpersonal relations in families of patients and reduce possibilities for psychosocial adaptation of all family members. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Revealed features should be taken into consideration when creating appropriate psycho-educational and psycho-corrective programs for family caregivers of patients with endogenous mental disorders.

Features of subjective perception of social support by patients with endogenous mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Previous research shows that the role of perceived social support, defined as individuals' confidence of the availability of adequate support when needed, is considered as a protective external resource to promote better adaptation in psychiatric patients. The aim of our study was to reveal the features of patients with endogenous mental disorders regarding their ability to perceive social support. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A total of 168 patients with schizophrenia (F.20) and 75 patients with affective disorders (F30.F.33) were involved into this study under informed consent conditions. Control group included 55 mentally healthy respondents. Perceived social support was measured using Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) by Zimet (1998). RESULTS: Results: Family, friends and significant others become main donors of social support for patients with endogenous mental disorders. Meanwhile, perceived social support in patients with schizophrenia is mostly coming from family. In patients with affective disorders, indicators of perceived social support from friends and significant others are significantly higher compared to patients with schizophrenia (P <0.001). Revealed features can be used while developing appropriate psychoeducational programs for patients with endogenous mental disorders. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: On the basis of revealed data, the key features of ability to perceive social support in patients with endogenous mental disorders, depending on the duration of the disease, were determined. It has been revealed that ability to perceive social support in patients with endogenous mental disorders decreases with prolongation of duration of the disease.

Introducing system of psychotherapeutic interventions for family caregivers of patients with endogenous mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Providing care for patients with endogenous mental disorders is associated with significant psychosocial burden. The aim of this study was to introduce a system of psychotherapeutic interventions for family caregivers of patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder based on understanding their prevalent coping behavior patterns and communicative coping resources evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A total of 273 family caregivers of patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were involved into this survey under informed consent conditions. Control group included 55 mentally healthy respondents, in whose families there is no mentally sick family member. Test for psychological diagnostics of coping mechanisms (E. Heim) and emotional empathy test (А. Mehrabian) were chosen as psychological testing research tools. Values of p <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Results: The study revealed prevalence of certain maladaptive coping strategies and lack of communicative coping resources in family caregivers of patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These data might be among significant predictors of communicative dysfunctions in families where one of the family members has endogenous mental disorder, and must be considered while developing appropriate psychotherapeutic programs. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: On the basis of revealed data, we have introduced an integrative system of psychotherapeutic interventions, aimed to develop adaptive forms of coping behavior in family caregivers, increase their empathetic and affiliative resources, create favorable conditions for activation of personal resources and adaptive potential of both family caregivers and patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.