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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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01-12-2008 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Gender aspects of parents’ needs of schizophrenia patients

Authors: Prof. Dr. Johannes Wancata, Marion Freidl, Monika Krautgartner, Fabian Friedrich, Teresa Matschnig, Anne Unger, Ralf Gössler, Stefan Frühwald

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 12/2008

Abstract

Background

Most studies about the problems and needs of schizophrenia carers included only one care-giving relative, usually the patients’ mothers.

Methods

101 mothers and fathers of the same patients suffering from schizophrenia were included into this study. Their needs were assessed by means of the “Carers’ Needs Assessment for Schizophrenia”.

Results

Mothers reported significantly more often problems than fathers concerning stress due to earlier life events and burn-out. Mothers needed interventions such as individual psychoeducation or family counselling more than twice as often as fathers. Overall, mothers reported higher numbers of problems and needs for intervention than fathers. The number of mothers’ problems was predicted by not living with a partner and by a shorter duration of the patients’ illness. The number of mothers’ needs was predicted by more psychiatric symptoms, not living with a partner and a shorter duration of the patients’ illness. Among fathers we could not identify any predictors, neither for the number of problems nor for the number of needs.

Conclusions

Fathers and mothers often report problems and frequently need professional support. Overall, mothers exhibited more problems and needs for interventions than fathers. The differences between mothers and fathers indicate the importance of considering the carer’s gender in clinical work.

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Title: Gender aspects of parents’ needs of schizophrenia patients
Authors: Prof. Dr. Johannes Wancata
Marion Freidl
Monika Krautgartner
Fabian Friedrich
Teresa Matschnig
Anne Unger
Ralf Gössler
Stefan Frühwald
Publication date: 01-12-2008
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 12/2008
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0391-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Gender aspects of parents’ needs of schizophrenia patients

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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