A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES WITH MENTALLY-ILL ADULT RELATIVES - SUPPORT GROUP MEMBERS VERSUS NON-MEMBERS

This analysis sought to determine what factors differentiate between s upport group participants and non-participants among family members wi th a psychiatrically disabled relative. 225 families were interviewed with a structured interview that included demographic Information and questions about the psychiatric history of the ill relative. The inter view also included measures of grief, burden, coping strategies self e fficacy, mastery and social support. Logistic regression was used to c ompare participants to non-participants. Support group participants we re more likely to be a parent with a higher functioning ill relative w ho has been ill for a longer period of time. Support group participant s reported less subjective burden, smaller social networks, and greate r utilization of adaptive coping strategies than non-participants.